Did you miss us?! Friday Facts is back and the world didn’t really slow down despite the Independence Day holiday. Speaking of which, today’s email will briefly review the state-local relationship on regulating fireworks. We will also recap the Governor’s newest COVID-19 order, remind you about Monday’s COVID-19 Economic Impact Town Hall at 3 pm (federal advocacy, CARES Act implementation, masks and hospital capacity update), request applications for the Taylor Service Award, and spotlight our newly retired John Hiskey.
Yesterday, Governor Herbert announced that schools will require masks, extended the requirement to wear masks in state facilities, but he did not mandate mask usage statewide. Today, he issued an executive order extending the current color coding of Utah’s Health Risk Status around the state through Friday, July 24. Salt Lake City will continue in orange, ten counties will continue in green, and the other nineteen counties will continue in yellow. The existing local mask orders--Salt Lake County, Summit County, Grand County, and Springdale--will also continue.
You can view the Order on face coverings in state facilities here.
You can view the Order on the Health Risk Status here.
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Legislative Advocacy
Fireworks
‘Tis the season for fireworks which means lots of questions about the ins and outs of firework regulation in Utah. By way of background, ULCT has successfully lobbied to restore some local authority over fireworks in recent years. In 2011, the Utah Legislature preempted local government’s ability to prohibit the discharge of fireworks and expanded the time frame and types of legal fireworks. In 2012, 2014, and 2016, League members endorsed resolutions at our Annual Convention urging the legislature to restore local authority to regulate firework use. In the summer of 2017, we successfully negotiated HB 38 with Rep. Jim Dunnigan--a former Taylorsville Council Member and the Legislature’s go-to source on firework law--which restored significant local authority. HB 38 reflected to some degree each of the concerns from the 2016 ULCT resolution. HB 38 expanded the geographic areas where cities could ban fireworks and clarified the process for issuing those restrictions, reduced the number of days of firework discharge, and added liability for irresponsible firework usage. You can read the details of HB 38 in our 2018 legislative guide which I’ve linked here.
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Love, Listen, Lead
The League’s Love, Listen, Lead task force on community trust in police and racial equity issues will start meeting later this month. As a reminder, it is a joint effort between the League and the Utah Chiefs of Police Association (UCOPA) and League President and Spanish Fork Council Member Mike Mendenhall and UCOPA President and Bountiful Police Chief Tom Ross will co-chair it. The objectives are to listen to community stakeholders and consider policy recommendations that find the balance of supporting our officers and supporting community concerns to improve trust and policing. You can read more in the op-ed from President Mendenhall, the League officers, and President Ross here.
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Spotlight- Thanks to ULCT's John Hiskey
John Hiskey has more years in local government than your correspondent has years on this planet! John came out of retirement in 2017 to join Team ULCT as a Senior Policy Analyst and brought with him 40 years of local government experience. He has worked for Salt Lake City, Sandy, Taylorsville, EDCUtah, and Salt Lake County and served on the Salt Lake County Commission (back when that was still a thing). More importantly, John is a passionate advocate for local government, a consensus builder, a Beatles aficionado and a friend. John is leaving ULCT to enjoy other ventures in his live and he moves on, he does so with a huge "thanks" from his former League colleagues! While we plan to “Let it Be” for a spell, John is still on our speed dial when your correspondent needs “Help!”
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ULCT Upcoming Events
Economic Impact of COVID-19
Monday, July 13- 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Learn the latest information on the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic including federal funding efforts, CARES Act info, and the "Mask Up Utah" campaign.
Monday's Town Hall speakers include:
Federal Advocacy-
- Clarence Anthony, Executive Director and CEO of the National League of Cities
- Angelina Panettieri, Legislative Manager, NLC
- Mayor Nan Whaley, Dayton, Ohio, U.S. Conference of Mayors
- Mayor Jeff Williams, Arlington, Texas, U.S. Conference of Mayors
"Mask Up Utah" Campaign-
- Greg Bell, President/CEO, Utah Hospital Association
CARES Act- New Guidance as of June 30-
- Wayne Bradshaw, ULCT Policy Director
Be sure to mark your calendar for the next ULCT Town Hall- COVID Economic Impact set for Monday July 27 from 3:00-4:00 pm. We'll address economic trends, COVID-19 impact on people of color, federal advocacy, and the new "In Utah" campaign promoting local sites, businesses, services, and goods, and educational opportunities.
ULCT's 2020 Annual Convention- September 23-25, Salt Lake City
ULCT’s Annual Convention is set for September 23-25 this year, and with the threat of the coronavirus still present, we assure you that we’re working diligently to heighten health and safety measures for all attendees. You’ll find smaller class sizes, multiple outdoor mobile tours, appropriate social distancing, hand-sanitizing stations, and more. However, we realize some of you are still concerned about the risk. Therefore, we’re preparing to offer a convention like we’ve never held before... with a hybrid option.
Registration will be opening soon for the in-person convention at the Salt Palace as well as the virtual option which will feature several conference classes and speakers. You’ll be able to choose what works best for you!
We’re partnering with Wasatch Front Regional Council and American Planners Association Utah Chapter to bring you 3 days of information to help inspire and educate you about opportunities for your city or town. Watch your inbox and our ULCT website for both the registration link and conference agenda.
Nominations Open for Brent and Jennie Taylor Service Award
The late Mayor Brent Taylor of North Ogden and his wife, Jennie, dedicated their lives to service, and they have truly paid the ultimate price.
After beginning his second term as mayor, Major Brent Taylor was deployed on a 2nd tour to Afghanistan with the Utah Army National Guard where he was tragically killed in November of 2018. Mayor Taylor also served on ULCT's Board of Directors and Jennie was president of the former ULCT Auxiliary organization. She, too, committed early in her life to give her all to protect and promote the ideals we value as Americans.
The Utah League of Cities and Towns proudly created an award in their honor. It's time to nominate elected officials in Utah municipal government who go beyond their duties as they serve their communities. We invite you to preview the nomination form here, then nominate someone you know who exhibits an extraordinary commitment to service in Utah's cities and towns. There are many fantastic community leaders who surround us. Help us acknowledge their service!
Deadline for nominations is 5pm on Friday, August 7, 2020.
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Resources and Training
UVU offers Economic Development 101 training
UVU is offering a course for local municipal leaders this fall. This course is for economic development professionals, elected officials, municipal staff or business professionals working with the public sector. It focuses on the key core areas that are vital to growing a community. The 5-session course teaches the theory behind business expansion and retention, strategic planning, workforce development, financing, marketing your community, tax increment financing and the incentive process and site selection and brings real world examples to show how the theory works. For more information, click here.
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