City Council

• Councilman Dale Gunther resigns from City Council to serve an LDS Mission.

• City Council appoints R. Craig Nielsen to fill the Council seat vacated by Councilman Gunther.

• Approved ordinance amendment to permit chickens and bees in certain residential zones.

• Approved ordinance allowing the sale of beer on Sundays in American Fork.

• Approved cell phone management agreement with Schooley Mitchell Telecom Consultants to review cell phone bills to find cost savings.

• Explored options relative to a Recreation, Arts, and Parks (RAP) Tax. Continuing to study RAP Tax and whether to put this on a future ballot.

Infrastructure

A key part of improving our city is investing in our infrastructure. Our roads have been a major priority of this administration. The budget continues to allocate $500,000 to the road accrual account for road maintenance and improvement. I am proud to report the completion of the following projects and road maintenance throughout 2012:

• 1100 East/900 East Corridor, which was the final construction segment of the North Utah County Boulevard Project was completed. Completion of the project included a five-lane road, traffic signals on 1100 East at 700 North, 300 North and 50 South, improved safety, better north-south mobility, and better access to American Fork Hospital.

• 900 West Road Reconstruction Project completed. A portion of 900 West was widened from two lanes to four, reconstructed intersections at 700 North and State Street and added a traffic signal at 700 North.

• 300 North was overlayed from 500 East to 1100 East.

• As part of the pavement management program to help reduce pavement deterioration, crack sealing was completed on 13 miles of road and micro-surfacing was completed on 5.05 miles of road.

Sidewalk improvements have also been a major priority for this administration. Improving the quality of life in American Fork means making sure our citizens can walk and bike safely, whether they are children going to and from school, senior citizens walking to a store, families riding their bicycles to a park, or simply an individual taking a walk. This past year, 1,833 linear feet of sidewalk was installed to improve the walkability of our community.

One major sidewalk improvement project completed in conjunction with Alpine School District was the new sidewalk on the east side of Shelley Elementary School that runs along 100 West. The new sidewalk provides a safe, attractive place for individuals to walk to and from school.

Much effort has been spent studying the best approaches to address the aging culinary water lines. The city issued a $1 million bond with $200,000 principal forgiveness for the purpose of improving aging water lines.

Culinary and pressurized irrigation rates were increased this year as a measure to cover the city’s bond debt and address critical funding for culinary and pressurized irrigation water infrastructure improvements. This action was taken after careful review of a rate study completed by Bowen, Collins & Associates.

I recognize the financial burden this puts on so many, especially in these uncertain times. However, as President Abraham Lincoln once said, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” I believe this administration has a responsibility to address our current, as well as future infrastructure needs in an effort to provide safe and healthy living conditions for all who reside, work, or play in our community.

Seven culinary water improvement projects were completed this year. In addition, to culinary improvement projects the Water Division completed the following maintenance projects:

• Replaced 154 Service Laterals

• Repaired 87 Mainlines

• Repaired 14 Fire Hydrants

• Replaced 24 Fire Hydrants

Our Sewer/Storm Water Division has been very proactive this year in maintaining the sewer lines and because of its approach, zero sewer back-ups have occurred this year. It has also completed 3,300 linear feet of sewer pipe bursting to replace sewer lines with minimal excavation. Western Slopes Construction has been awarded the bid for sewer pipe lining to repair and rehabilitate some of our existing sewer lines.

The Sewer/Storm Water Division has also worked diligently to reduce the infiltration into the sewer system by 200 gallons per minute, which has reduced the City’s bill to Timpanogos Special Service District by $200,000 per year. One major focus of the Sewer/Storm Water Division has been preparatory work for construction of a Salt Storage Dome to meet regulatory guidelines. A contract was recently award for this project and construction has started.

Public Safety

We have a tremendous depth of talent in our police and fire departments and I am grateful for their professionalism and sacrifice on display daily. This talent does not rest with public safety personnel alone. One such incident that occurred this past April involved the quick action of City Councilman Brad Frost and City Employees: Jon Varney, Barry Dayton, Randall Honey, and Kevin (Red) Austill. These fine individuals rescued two individuals from a burning house.

Police Department

The Police Department received 25,227 calls for service this past year. Because of our dedicated and well-trained police department, a suspect involved in “sucker punching” a 35 year old male outside the La Sabre Bar who subsequently died of head injuries was located and arrested. Prosecution in this homicide is on-going.

Detective Russell Anderson served as the Grand Marshal of the Cedar Hills City Family Festival Parade in recognition of his good work in the Cedar Hills schools teaching NOVA, which its mission is to Nurture youth to seek out positive Opportunities, internalize good Values, and to accept Accountability for their choices in life. NOVA assists parents, families, and communities in protecting youth from potentially devastating effects of illegal drug use, violence, and negative media influences.

Other significant events included:

• Received a $16,047 Utah Safety Office Grant for the implementation of electronic citations and accident reports. Electronic citations and accident reporting went operational on July 1, 2012 in compliance with Utah State Law. Citation process is now paperless.

• Incident Command Vehicle project was completed and vehicle put in use after refurbishing was completed through grant funds.

• Surveillance camera system augmented with the purchase of an additional camera to monitor high crime areas and specific criminal targets.

• Less lethal equipment (bean bag rounds and tear gas) is procured and officers are certified in deployment protocol.

• Police Department Warehouse completed with accrued public safety impact fees and the generous efforts of other city departments. This facility will serve as storage and for training purposes.

Fire/Rescue Department

The wild land fire season kept the Fire/Rescue Department crews very busy supporting the neighboring departments of Lone Peak, Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs.

The American Fork Fire/Rescue Department responded to 2,525 Fire/EMS calls and provided 814 patient transfers from the American Fork Hospital.

American Fork City, City of Cedar Hills, City of Highland, and Pleasant Grove City hired Matrix Consulting to study the possibilities of combining services and to evaluate other options for providing emergency services. The study is ongoing.

Other major accomplishments this year included:

• Replacing a ladder truck that has been in use since 1979 with a new Smeal Ladder Truck. The retired ladder truck is currently on display at the Utah Fire Museum. It is the second oldest ladder truck in the museum and is displayed prominently aside other vintage equipment.

• The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was updated to allow the city to be more efficient in the event of a local disaster with the assistance of a Department of Homeland Security Grant.

• A third Critical Care Paramedic Class was held and is nearing completion. This class provides the additional training our paramedics need to ensure that the citizens of American Fork have the highest possible ICU trained personnel providing them 911 services.

• American Fork Fire/Rescue continues to partner with American Fork Hospital and Gold Cross Ambulance to help offset the cost of operating our Fire/EMS Service.

Finance

• Made the final payment on nine (9) police vehicles.

• The City Council passed a parameters resolution allowing for the refunding of the GO Parks Bonds. The bonds will be refunded in January 2013, with a savings of approximately $95,511.

• American Fork City entered into an Indefeasible Right of Use of Agreement with MMH Fiber, LLC for lease of the some City’s fiber. Revenues received from this transaction will be used to pay down the Broadband Bond.

• Issued a $1 million bond with $200,000 principal forgiveness for the purpose of improving aging water lines. Excellent interest rate at 2.69%

• Anticipate receiving the final payment for sale of the fiber line for the inner-City network; this will allow us to look at retiring the broadband bonds when they are callable in March 2013.

• Sales Tax received increased 9% in FY 2011-12 over the previous year.

• Building permit revenue increased 8% in FY 2011-12 over the previous year.

• The City Council Commissioned an impact fee study; scheduled to be completed early in 2013.

• Purchased the Goodsell Property (adjacent to the Art Dye Park) for expanded park use.

• Improved Capital Budget process.

Public Works

• Hired a new Public Works Director.

• Restructuring occurred, which resulted in improved service delivering and annual savings.

• Preparing to surplus and move the old Planning Trailer off the property located behind Historic City Hall. This will be a major improvement in our downtown area. I am excited to see this trailer finally gone.

Engineering

It was a busy year in the Engineering Division, which resulted in completion of the following projects:

• 900 West Reconstruction

• Mitchell Hollow Crossing

• Shelley School Sidewalk

• American Fork Police Department Warehouse

The Engineering Division also assisted and provided input relative to the following UDOT projects that were completed in our City:

• FrontRunner Station located at 782West 200 South opened in American Fork on December 10, 2012.

• North Utah County Boulevard Project.

• Completion of I-15 Rebuild through our City.

• Asphalt overlay on Main Street, West State Road, and 100 East.

The Engineering Division is currently working on the following projects:

• Salt Storage Facility

• 350 East Reconstruct

• Mitchell Hollow Water Line

• Art Dye Expansion Design

• Improving the Development Process

• Master Plan for Public Works

• Transportation General Plan Update

Building Inspections Division

It was a good sign to see building permits take off last year. The Building Division reports 275 residential permits issued and 101 commercial permits issued in 2012.

Planning Division

• Restructuring and relocation of the Planning Division to the Public Works Offices to improve efficiencies, which is providing financial savings.

• Instrumental in assisting with preparing the Development Agreement for Phase II of the Meadows Project that was approved in order for more development to occur in the Meadows.

• Site Plan applications have increased by 200% over last year.

• Work continues on development of an American Fork Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Public participation and open houses held in 2012 along with progress updates to Planning Commission and City Council.

• Moderate Income Housing Element of the General Plan was updated per State Law. American Fork is doing well in accommodating the needs of those with moderate incomes.

• An area of focus for 2013 will be the FrontRunner Station area. Discussions with stakeholders and research has started relative to a transit-oriented development in this area.

• Annexations totaling approximately 130 acres are in process.

Technology

• City implements City Council Paperless Agenda and Packet in effort to reduce costs and be greener. City continues to explore other paperless options and improve efficiencies.

• Implemented Computer Replacement Program.

• Contracted with Parlant Technology for a mass communication service that provides a way to better communicate with our residents about upcoming events, public hearings, emergency notices, etc. Parlant Technology will also be assisting the City with development of a new City mobile application.

• City has prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design of a new City Website and is hopeful that this item will be funded in the upcoming budget process.

Quality of Life

The City continues its diligent efforts to not only provide safer streets, quality water, better transportation routes, improved housing, excellent public safety and emergency services, as well as parks, fitness and recreation opportunities, cultural arts opportunities, and an outstanding library and learning center.

Fitness

• Implemented a Silver Sneakers Program at the Fitness Center, which allows members with certain health plans to obtain a free membership to the American Fork Fitness Center

• Merit badge classes continue to grow in popularity.

• Participation in our outstanding swim lesson program continues to increase.

• No 911 calls this summer related to drowning or breathing incidents due to our well-trained supervisors and lifeguards.

Recreation

• Tenured Recreation Employee Doug Schneider was awarded the Recreation Professional of the Year from the Utah Parks & Recreation Association in recognition of his outstanding work and professionalism.

• Planning and designing Art Dye Complex.

• Created “mini” baseball fields for all divisions in order to enhance players’ experience.

Parks/Cemetery

• Accomplished a new landscape design on the Autumn Crest Park strip that has greatly enhanced the appearance of the area.

• Significant efforts have been made to improve maintenance of the Pioneer Crossing Landscaping.

• Maintenance of baseball fields continues to improve each year.

• Over 1,000 feet of road paved in the Cemetery.

• New Veterans Area designated in the North Section of the Cemetery.

Library

The Library has seen many changes and improvements this past year. Some of the changes and improvements include:

• The American Fork Learning Center and the American Fork Community Literacy Center were combined to become the Brian McKay Eddington Learning Center, which serves an average of 400 students each month.

• Fundraising activities included – two Scholastic Book Fairs and a Luau event.

• New alphabet dividers were made by an Eagle Scout to help alphabetize the picture books

• Signage in the library was improved to be more visible and professional looking.

• Sheena Parker, Library Director, receives “High 5” from KSL for her service to our community.

Arts

Another outstanding year of arts and cultural opportunities took place this year. The summer concert series included exceptional performances in a shorter season. The youth theater and community theater performances were performances you would not have wanted to miss. I could go on and on about the various arts and cultural opportunities that took place this past year, but then we would be here all night. In short, we have a very active arts community with many volunteers who contribute their time and talents for the betterment of our community for which I am most appreciative.

Our Arts Council Governing Board has been very active this year. It has spent considerable effort researching options and discussing ways to fundraise for a community center that can be used for arts-related purposes. Members of the Arts Governing Board and friends of the Arts presented at the November 8, 2012, City Council Work Session to see if the City Council would lend written support of a fundraising effort by private individuals to raise funds for the creation of a concept plan to restore the Harrington School Building for use as a community center. The City Council agreed to provide written support for this effort. A fundraising letter has been prepared and will be sent out within the next week.

Concluding Remarks

I want to conclude with a few remarks about faith. Whether you find your strength in God, in family, in friends or in your own hands, American Fork deserves no less than your vision, commitment and a leap of faith. We are working every day at American Fork City to earn your confidence-your job is to have faith in American Fork and its leadership.

The essence of American Fork must include an immense faith in the power of human ingenuity and in the effort to change the world and our City for the better, as well as the unshakable belief that there is a better, brighter future before us and that we can and will rise to meet it, if we join our efforts together. The key is we must work TOGETHER!

We need to remember to rekindle some faith! There will always be challenges, but I took this job to ensure that our great City remains strong and resilient. A tree is not planted for today or tomorrow, it is planted for a decade or generation from now. A tree is planted with the faith that rains will come to water it, the sun will shine upon it and that someone else will rest in its shade.

The City continues to improve and plants many new seeds each day with the faith in American Fork’s bright future. As we all go forward this year, have faith that American Fork is a city that works for today, invests in the future, meets challenges, and embraces the many opportunities to provide a safe, healthy, and enjoyable community. May you all have a healthy and prosperous 2013! Thank you!