PARING BACK & POWERING OFF

Friends,

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I believe a big part of mental wellness is remembering the importance of trying to live a balanced life. In today’s lifestyle, with the constant pressure to be “the best” and an overreliance on technology, we unknowingly place large amounts of stress on our minds and bodies.

Whether we realize it not, the pressure we put on ourselves and the pressure we pass on to our children all too often comes with consequences. As a parent myself of former competitive skiers, I understand how easy it can be to get caught up in your child’s “potential.” My own children pointed out the pressures they felt when they were younger because we are a sports-centric community: children either feel the stress of competing, or they feel the stress of being left out. It took me awhile, but eventually I learned to spend less time helping my children “go for the gold” and more time just goofing around and enjoying unstructured and spur-of-the moment fun. In retrospect, these memories are the ones that Margarethe and I cherish the most.

CREATING A COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH
Councilwoman Nann Worel and Summit County Mental Health Coordinator Aaron Newman talk about building a regional coalition to provide a full spectrum of mental health support

This article is the first in an occasional series spotlighting mental health initiatives in Park City and Summit County.

Last month, Aaron Newman was hired as the first mental health coordinator for Summit County. Mr. Newman and Nann Worel discussed how they intend to strategically address mental health countywide.

Park City Municipal Corporation: What is the history of the countywide initiative to improve mental health services?

Nann Worel: Well, a lot of us have been working on this issue for many years via a loosely affiliated group of nonprofits and governments. This year, in particular, it came to the forefront, rather tragically, with the death of two students in September from drug overdoses. Not long after, Park City School Superintendent Ember Conley convened a group of community leaders, who determined that the response should be a coordinated community effort with a “hub.” Ollie Wilder from Park City Community Foundation formed a steering committee in January and served as coordinator until Aaron was brought on board.

Aaron Newman: There were already a lot of existing programs and efforts, as Nann has described, but the programs were scattered about, and the efforts just weren’t being utilized or coordinated.

PCMC DISTRIBUTES FIRE EXTINGUISHERS & CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS

Program funding comes from grant that city received for role in saving family from house fire

Park City’s Building & Fire Safety Department was honored last fall for their role in saving a family from a house fire. Alarm company ADT awarded the department a $5000 grant, which they used to purchase 96 carbon monoxide detectors and 65 kitchen fire extinguishers for low-income Park City residents. “Every year we hear about people getting hurt or property being damaged because of faulty mechanical equipment,” said Building Inspector Rich Novasio, who was one of the PCMC staffers honored for his role in saving the family. “We also hear of kitchen fires starting small but spreading quickly because there is no fire extinguisher close by. We hope these two items will make the homes of our underserved residents a little safer. No one should take these two crucial pieces of equipment for granted.”

If you would like to inquire about receiving a detector or extinguisher, please contact the Building Department at 435.615.5101 to determine eligibility. Remaining equipment will be offered to seniors through the senior center.

LEADERSHIP CLASS 23 TAKES UP THE CHARGE OF FUNDRAISING FOR BONANZA FLAT

Every year Leadership Park City chooses a class project, and this year’s initiative is very much in keeping with the community's vision and values. “When it came time to choose our project, we quickly coalesced around the idea of contributing to ‘Save Bonanza Flat’,” said class member Colleen McGinn. “It just felt right and timely for us to do everything we can to keep this piece of land, for us and for future generations.”

The group is spearheading the following fund-raising efforts:

• A “Bid for Bonanza” auction, which will be live on Bidding for Good from May 12 to 26.
• “Hug a Tree for Bonanza Flat” viral video challenge: the group is asking those whom they nominate to donate $10 to on the Summit Land Conservancy's website, wesaveland.org (Summit Land Conservancy is part of the Save Bonanza Flat coalition.)
• Class members will be at the following events to raise awareness and solicit donations: Park City Follies, the Bike Swap (May 13), Running with Ed (May 20), and Park Silly Sunday Market (June 4).
• When you buy a t-shirt for $25 at Motherlode Park City, half the proceeds will go toward “Save Bonanza Flat.”
• Prewitt Gallery on Main Street has donated discounted collector posters of Bonanza Flat. In addition, if someone donates 25 percent of an art piece's value to Bonanza Flat, the gallery will sell the piece for at a 50 percent discount.
• “Save Bonanza Flat” beer is now on tap at Flanagan’s on Main!

“Bonanza Flat holds so much importance for the people of Summit County and beyond,” said class member Sara Jo Dickens. “The joint fundraising effort of the Save Bonanza Flat coalition (comprised of 11 Utah nonprofits) inspired our class to conceive a similar community platform. Bid for Bonanza allows all of our small businesses to align efforts for even greater impact.”

For more information and to learn how you can help or donate, contact Sara Jo Dickens or Colleen McGinn.

NEW CHIEF BUILDING OFFICIAL STARTS MAY 8

Former Park City employee David Thacker is excited to return to the Wasatch Back

Park City Municipal is excited to welcome David Thacker back to the Building Department. Mr. Thacker, who worked for PCMC from 2007 to 2012, returns May 8 in the role of chief building official. “The Building Department is a critical part of our community development team, and I am excited to collaborate with David on all aspects of the project permitting and inspection process,” said Community Development Director Anne Laurent. “The fact that he is a native son will help him quickly develop a high level of trust with the community. And we are excited to have him apply best practices—especially with regard to green building and fire-mitigation—that he learned as chief building official for the City of Boulder."

Mr. Thacker, who has 17 years’ experience in the public realm, will oversee all aspects of code enforcement, as well as building and fire safety plan review, inspections, and permits. “I am very excited to rejoin the Park City Team,” said Mr. Thacker. “Being in Colorado for the past five years has given me a great opportunity to learn and grow in an innovative, collaborative, sustainable, and customer service-oriented way. I am excited to bring what I have learned and apply it to the already high-functioning Park City Team. I feel extremely fortunate for the opportunity to come back to Park City to live, work, and play in such a wonderful area. I look forward to getting reacquainted with my team, my colleagues, and the Park City residents.” Welcome home, David!

Read the full press release here.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the following meetings this month. Follow this link for additional meeting information and agendas.

Mon., May 8 Public Art Advisory | 5:00 pm | Executive Conference Room

Wed., May 10 Planning Commission | 5:30 pm | Council Chambers

Thurs., May 11 City Council | 6:00 pm | Council Chambers

Wed., May 17 SEAC | noon | Council Chambers

Wed., May 17 Library Board | noon | Park City Library

Tues., May 23 COSAC | 8:30 am | Council Chambers

Tues., May 23 Coffee with Council | 4:00 pm | Park City Library

Wed., May 24 Planning Commission | 5:30 pm | Council Chambers

Thurs., May 25 City Council | 6:00 pm | Council Chambers

Tues., June 6 Recreation Advisory Board | 6:00 pm | PC MARC

Wed., June 7 Historic Preservation | 5:00 pm | Council Chambers

Can't make it to City Council or Planning Comission in person? Attend virtually or download the recording via the Listen Live link.

PCMC STAFF PRESENT AT RECYCLE UTAH'S WATER FESTIVAL

Recycle Utah’s Fourth Annual Water Festival, which is an opportunity for local fourth graders to learn about one of our most precious natural resources, took place April 27. More than twenty local groups, including Summit Land Conservancy, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Park City Fire Department, presented.

Park City’s own Water Department was represented by Kyle McArthur and Bina Skordas. Kyle and Bina explained where our drinking water comes from, describing the differences among the many sources—including wells, tunnels, and reservoirs. They also outlined how energy-efficient and sustainable water practices can help mitigate climate change and ensure enough water for years to come.

MOMENTUM CONTINUES FOR LET'S GO SUMMIT

Last fall, Summit County residents passed two transportation initiatives. These combined initiatives will provide the funding needed for a comprehensive and regional transportation approach for Summit County and local municipalities. The plan calls for critical road improvements to help alleviate congestion and enable enhanced and increased transit service throughout the county.

In coming months, residents will begin to see increased transit service, new and expanded programs like electric bike share, and road improvements as part of the new Small Cities Grant Program. Concurrently, the county and Park City will be working on design and engineering of larger portions of the transportation plan like improvements to SR-224, SR-248, and Jeremy Ranch Interchange, as well as park and ride lots along the regions primary travel corridors.

LetsGoSummit.com will be your online resource for the latest transportation news, possible traffic impacts, alternative route planning and other important information. And tune into KPCW (91.7) at 8:30 on the first Monday of every month to hear Park City Transportation Planning Manager Alfred Knotts and Summit County Regional Transportation Planning Director Caroline Rodriguez provide an update on the latest transit and transportation projects.

SANDBAGS AVAILABLE FOR FLOODING PREVENTION FROM PUBLIC WORKS

After last winter’s banner snowfall, the threat of flooding from spring runoff has been elevated. PCMC can and will respond to isolated flood emergencies, and the the city can also distribute sandbags (filled and unfilled) to Park City residents and businesses. These are intended only to reduce flooding on residential and business property within town limits. Property managers requesting sandbags must identify the property location where sandbags will be used at the time of pick up. We ask that residents not hoard or stockpile sandbags for future use, to ensure there is enough for everyone.

Sandbags are available at the Park City Public Works front desk (1053 Iron Horse Drive) during business hours. Call 435.615.5301 for more information. After hours, call Police Dispatch at 435.615.5500.

SIGN UP NOW FOR EMERGENCY TEXT ALERTS

Spring is here—which means flood season—and the summer wildfire season is right around the corner. Park City's emergency alert system helps you stay informed during emergencies and about other important community information, including road closures, missing persons, special event impacts, and evacuations. You can have messages delivered to your home, work, or mobile phone, by text message or email.

You pick where, you pick how. Sign up today! www.parkcityalerts.org

SEEKING APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC ART ADVISORY & SPECIAL EVENTS BOARDS

Community boards are the lifeblood of our local democracy, and our city government couldn't run without them. Please help keep our institutions strong and vibrant. Right now, there are openings on the Public Art Advisory Board and Special Events Advisory Commission. The terms for both commissions are three years, and applications are due May 15. Learn more and download applications at the Boards & Commissions tab on the city's website.

FLUSHING OF MAIN WATER LINE WILL CONTINUE FOR NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS

The city has begun flushing the water main lines. This annual process enhances water quality by removing loose particles. Due to the high velocity, some parts of town may experience a light-brown discoloration of water. No need to worry if this occurs: just hold off using the water for a half-hour, then run COLD water only until clear, then for another 5 minutes. Thank for your patience and understanding during this important step to maintain our excellent water quality.

Flushing does require use of relatively large volumes of water. For this reason, the department attempts to conduct it during low-demand seasons. Pooling will occur in certain areas of town. Water crews will use best-management practices to avoid traffic disruption and adverse impacts to local streams. You will see water running down gutters into storm drains, but this is not a water main break or waste.

Flushing will take place Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for several more weeks. For more information, please contact Public Utilities at 435.615.5305.

ROUNDUP OF MAY SPECIAL EVENTS

Special event season is upon us! Now through October, we'll be providing a roundup of events that may affect transportation in the areas of activity. Please plan ahead.

• Moose Tracks Kids Run: Saturday, May 6 (8:00 am to noon). Round Valley/Quinn's Area.Trail event information posted at Quinn’s on Saturday, April 20. Please carpool to the event or if traveling to the area. Anticipated participants: 100
• Running with Ed: Saturday, May 20. Summit County & Park City. Please slow down and watch for runners throughout Summit County and Park City. Anticipated participants (children and adults): 1400
• Mid-week Mountain Bike Race: Tuesday, May 23 (4:00 to 9:00 pm). Round Valley/Quinn's Area. Trail event information posted at Quinn's on Tuesday, May 16. Please carpool to the event or if traveling to the area. Anticipated participants: 250