Smithfield Sun

Citizens voice concerns over city manager powers & responsibilities

City of Smithfield

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SMITHFIELD—There was no change to the Smithfield form of municipal government made at the public hearing held last night at the Senior Citizen Center. “Obviously, we won’t vote on this tonight. We, the council, are going to take some more time to review this. It will be put on an agenda and we will discuss this,” said Mayor Darrell Simmons. Mayor Simmons said the purpose of this meeting was to define the structure and framework of the Smithfield form of government. “This public hearing is a two-way street. It’s a time for the council to hear from the people and it is also a time for the people to hear from the council.” (Continued…)

Agenda: Nexus remodel, Onyx new office report, Famers markets

City of Smithfield

The Smithfield City Council will meet Wednesday evening to discuss: contract with Nexus to remodel current city offices into police department,report by Onyx on new city offices construction progress, agreement with Saxton family for property on 1000 South, storm water agreement, discussion of farmers markets. (Continued…)

Updated city government ordinance available

City of Smithfield

Smithfield City has released an updated version of the ordinance, Six-Member Council Form of Municipal Government. There will be a public hearing regarding the ordinance this Tuesday, March 9 at the Senior Citizens Center at 6:30 p.m. (Continued…)

Smithfield City Council gets a tour of unfinished new building

City of Smithfield

Image: Touring new city hall

SMITHFIELD—“The mayor and I wrestled, I won, so I got the bigger office,” City Manager Jim Gass joked during a tour of the new city office building. Gass showed the council the new city offices, including the new map room, jury room, attorney room, cemetery room and a community classroom. Gass said currently, a jail cell is being used to store city maps and attorneys have to borrow an office to meet with their clients. (Continued…)

Agenda: Architect for old city hall remodel

City of Smithfield

The Smithfield City Council is touring the new city offices this Wednesday prior to their regular council meeting. After their tour, the council will convene at 6:30 p.m. to discuss: changing the public hearing for government ordinance to March 9, contracting with Nexus architecture to remodel the old city offices into a police station, and to discuss the canal upgrade project. (Continued…)

Paul Erickson appointed to fill seat on Richmond's city council

City of Smithfield

RICHMOND—The City Council added a new member at the meeting Tuesday night. Paul Erickson was sworn in by Justin Lewis, the city recorder, after an executive session was held to choose among six applicants. Erickson will be replacing Keith Ward, who read his letter of resignation in last month’s council meeting. (Continued…)

Smithfield FD explains emergency response effort to city council

City of Smithfield

SMITHFIELD—Smithfield Fire Chief Jay Downs outlined how his Emergency Management division will coordinate emergency response efforts at the Smithfield City Council meeting Wednesday night. “This is a new program; we’ve only been doing it about a year. We are still looking to improve and grow and we are always looking for volunteers,” Downs said. (Continued…)

Agenda: Stone Haven planned development, disaster mitigation plan

City of Smithfield

The Smithfield City council meets this Wednesday evening. On the agenda: request to approve Stone Haven planned unit development zoning, pre-disaster mitigation plan, “prevailing fee schedule for 2010,” and setting a date for a public hearing regarding changes in the city manager form of government. The council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at city hall (69 N Main). It is open to the public. Everyone is invited to attend. (Note: The RDA meeting has been postponed until February 24.) (Continued…)

New EPA requirements for storm water among challenges for Smithfield

City of Smithfield

Smithfield City Manager James Gass outlined the new guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the City Council meeting Wednesday night. (Continued…)

Hyde Park annexation agreement, canal update, new personnel

City of Smithfield

Newly elected Mayor Darrell Simmons led his first city council meeting Wednesday night. “You know what it means to cut teeth?” asked Simmons of the sizable audience. “We’re cutting teeth tonight.” Everyone laughed and someone in the back added, “Hopefully without the crying.” The council considered many items including an agreement with Hyde Park over annexation, a proposal by the county to require permits for events using county land, and an update on the canal reconstruction. (Continued…)

Simmons takes oath as new mayor of Smithfield

City of Smithfield

Image: Clegg giving the oath

Darrell Simmons took the oath of office Monday night as the new mayor of Smithfield. He was joined by new city councilwoman Barbara Scholes Kent and by returning councilwoman Kris Monson. “This is about the only time I get to tell the mayor what to do,” joked City Recorder Dean Clegg as he instructed the trio to raise their arm and repeat the oath of office as he read it to them. Family, friends, citizens and city employees watched as the three finished their oath and became officers of the City of Smithfield. (Continued…)

Airport presentation asks for zoning overlay in south Smithfield

City of Smithfield

Image: Watkins and Downs

A zoning overlay to help protect the airport was requested at the Smithfield City Council meeting Wednesday night. Kelly Gillman of CRSA and Shawn Shuler of J-U-B Engineers, Inc. presented updates to the Logan-Cache Airport master plan. One of the concerns is how the air traffic is impacted by south Smithfield. Developments with lots of bright lights or tall building can cause problems for aircraft landing or taking off. They recommended the city adopt an overlay ordinance to protect against developments which encroach on the airport. (Continued…)

Smithfield renews city's contract with Comcast

City of Smithfield

SMITHFIELD—City Council voted Wednesday to renew the city’s franchise agreement with Comcast for an additional 10 years. The previous contract was for 15 years, but this time around the council felt a shorter contract would be in the city’s best interest. (Continued…)

Agenda: Canvass election, honor citizen

City of Smithfield

The Smithfield City Council meets tonight to consider: approval of plat for Ridgeview subdivision, canvass votes from election, franchise agreement with Comcast, and proclamation to honor a Smithfield citizen. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. at city hall (69 N Main St). (Continued…)

Smithfield council approves Stone Haven housing development

City of Smithfield

SMITHFIELD — After many questions and a few adjustments, the City Council approved a preliminary plan for Stone Haven planned unit development, from 50 to 180 East and 600 to 800 South. Ryan Rogers, an agent for North Ridge Development, presented the plan and explained exactly what was in store for the development. (Continued…)

Smithfield council denies rezone of Lillywhite property

City of Smithfield

Image: Lee's Marketplace donation

SMITHFIELD — After a public hearing Wednesday night, the City Council voted unanimously against the request for a rezone of property located at 200 South 600 West. (Continued…)