In short
The City Council met January 10 and approved two ambulances, a fire engine, two Bobtail trucks for Public Works, a water purchase agreement with Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, and the construction contract for Marilyn Acres Phase Five. Moody’s raised the city’s issuer credit rating to Aa1, which should mean lower interest costs if the city borrows. Spring soccer registration closes February 19 and baseball and softball registration runs February 1 to April 2. The Arts Council plays a free symphony concert at Syracuse High School on February 27.
Dates and deadlines
- February 1 Game Show Night “Family Feud” at the Syracuse library branch, 6:30 p.m.
- February 1 to April 2 Baseball and softball registration, T-Ball through junior high
- February 6 Black History Paper Dolls at the library, 6:30 p.m.
- February 8 Monthly senior movie, “National Treasure,” 1 p.m.
- February 8 Circle of Security Parenting class starts at Syracuse Elementary, 6 p.m. dinner and 6:15 p.m. class, free, through March 29
- February 10 Adult paint class, Valentine Gnomes, Community Center, 6 to 8 p.m., $30
- February 14 City Council meeting, City Hall, 6:00 pm
- February 14 Noon deadline to RSVP for the February 22 senior lunch and bingo
- February 16 LEGO Night at the library, all ages, 6:30 p.m.
- February 18 Bald Eagle Viewing at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- February 19 Last day to register for spring soccer
- February 20 Presidents Day, no school
- February 21 Senior book club at the Syracuse Library, 2 p.m.
- February 22 Seniors Swedish meatballs lunch and bingo, noon, suggested $3 donation
- February 27 Arts Council Symphony Orchestra concert, Syracuse High School, 7:30 p.m., free
- February 27 to March 1 Weber State University Storytelling Festival, Ogden, free except the Tuesday dinner
- February 28 City Council meeting, City Hall, 6:00 pm
- April 8 Easter Egg Hunt. The city needs volunteers now to stuff plastic eggs, 801-614-9660 opt. 1
Everything else
City Council
- At the combined business meeting and work session on January 10, the Council authorized buying two ambulances and a fire engine for future budget years, plus two Bobtail trucks for Public Works, because of long manufacturing and delivery lead times.
- The Council also authorized the Mayor to sign a purchase agreement with Weber Basin Water Conservancy District for additional treated water, and awarded the construction contract for Marilyn Acres Phase Five.
- The Council amended Section 11.20.060 of the City Code on winter street parking, removing the language about special permission from the police department.
- Council normally meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Agendas and other discussion items are at syracuseut.gov/AgendaCenter, and you can subscribe to notices at syracuseut.gov/list.aspx.
City finances
- Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the city’s issuer credit rating to Aa1 from Aa2 and its lease revenue bond rating to Aa2 from Aa3. The city says the higher rating qualifies it for lower interest rates if it borrows or refinances, saving thousands of tax dollars.
- Moody’s cited the growing tax base, a median household income well above the US median, and a revenue mix of property taxes, sales taxes, and impact fees. Higher national interest rates have led to fewer construction permits.
Building and business
- Ogden Regional Medical Center plans to open a hospital-level emergency room in Syracuse later this year. It would be MountainStar Healthcare’s 14th emergency department in the state.
- The magazine reports a new restaurant chain is expected in the Briggs North Development early this year, just east of McDonalds on Antelope Drive, as a single fast food building with a drive-thru. It was not finalized at the time of writing.
- Maverik’s new Adventure’s First Stop opened with a ribbon cutting on December 22, on the north side of Antelope Drive just east of CVS Pharmacy.
Parks and Recreation
- Beginner paint classes for kids 10 and up run on Wednesdays at the Community Center, 3:45 to 5 p.m., $40 per four-week session. February is acrylics, March is “Imitate the Greats.”
- Adult fitness classes at the Community Center, first class free: HIGH FITNESS Wednesdays at 9 a.m. ($5 drop-in, $30 for ten), STEP IT UP! Mondays and Fridays at 9 a.m. ($3 drop-in, $20 for ten), and PUMP IT UP! Tuesdays at 9 a.m. ($3 drop-in, $20 for ten). Bring your own mat for PUMP IT UP!.
- Senior yoga runs Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m. and pickleball Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon, free with a Community Center membership.
- A senior bus trip, “Sip and Learn,” is a docent tour of the Syracuse City Museum at 1891 W. 1700 S. with refreshments afterward, $5, sign up in advance at 801-614-9660 option 1. The issue gives no date.
Arts
- The Arts Council named a director and a music director for its summer musical, “Freaky Friday,” and is still looking for an assistant director, choreographer, stage manager, costume and set designers, and tech crew. Send a letter of interest with experience and April to July conflicts to [email protected].
- Battle of the Bands returns in March. Details will be posted at syracuseutaharts.org.
Public Works and preparedness
- Public Works asks residents to report water, stormwater, sewer, street, sign, streetlight, pothole, and sidewalk problems by phone or through the online fix-it request rather than social media. Both are available 24 hours a day, with an after-hours emergency hotline.
- Stormwater runoff carries fertilizer, pet waste, and engine oil straight to local streams, rivers, and lakes without treatment. Even excess soil counts as a pollutant because settled dirt can clog pipes and cause flooding. This system is separate from the sanitary sewer.
- The Disaster Preparedness Committee’s winter power outage advice: dress in layers, wear a hat, keep drinking water, stay inside with doors and windows closed, and cover drafty windows with spare blankets. Stock flashlights, a radio, batteries, a power bank, a first aid kit, water, nonperishable food, a manual can opener, and hand warmers.
City services
- Passport applications are processed at City Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only, about 20 to 30 minutes each. Call 801-825-1477. Forms, photos, and payment must be done before 4 p.m. for same-day acceptance, and fees are by check or money order to the U.S. Department of State.
- The city’s new City Attorney, Brieanne Brass, has been on staff about three months and advises the Mayor, City Council, and city staff on all legal matters.
- Library hours at 1875 S. 2000 W.: Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 801-451-1850. City Hall is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Job openings are under Government, Employment Opportunities, at syracuseut.gov.
From the Mayor
- The mayor writes that residents who want local government to reflect their values should be willing to serve or to support someone who will. He notes a candidate must file to run five months before an election, says he is deliberately writing this outside an election season, and points to appointed city boards and commissions as another way to serve.
Community
- A Look Back visits the Syracuse Regional Museum, open since 2002 in a brick building and a barn on Antelope Drive. Exhibits cover early settler life, the city’s Japanese community, early baseball, the Hamblin dairy farm, sugar beet farming, a restored handcart, and the city’s first fire truck, a 1943 Ford bought from Boise in 1965. The museum also holds the Wilcox Cabin and Waite’s Barber Shop.
- Syracuse High’s girls wrestling team has grown to 18 wrestlers since the sport was sanctioned statewide in 2020-21. Last season 16 of the 18 qualified for state, the team took the region title, and it placed fifth at state.
- Two Clearfield High seniors were named Students of the Month.
- Library programs also include the After Words book club on February 2 at 7 p.m., Book Bunch for 4th to 6th graders on February 8 at 4 p.m., and DOT Calm dot painting for teens on February 27 at 6:30 p.m. Weekly story times run Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Also listed for the area: “She Love Me” at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre February 1 to 18, Cinderella at On Pitch Performing Arts February 11 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. for $11.50 to $17.50, and Zoo Winter Discount Days on February 1, 8, 15, and 22 at $5 online, free for kids under 3.
- School calendar notes: Syracuse Arts Academy holds Hope Kindness Week February 13 to 16 and has no school February 17 for a teacher comp day.
Unofficial digest of a city PDF. The official version is linked below.
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