Hey everyone! Welcome back to another week of news here on Summit in Six! The signs of springtime are in the air—The tulips and daffodils are starting to make an appearance. In today’s episode, we are going to highlight an exciting partnership between the Sheriff’s Department and South Summit School District, give details about upcoming speaker series events hosted by the Health Department, cover the latest updates on the Cedar Crest Overlay project in Hoytsville, and go over some important tick awareness and safety tips—remember when temps start to climb, these unwelcome hitch-hikers appear!

Alright, let’s get into the news!

 COUNCIL RECAP – SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER HIGHLIGHT

At this week’s Council meeting, Summit County Sheriff Frank Smith and Chief Deputy Kacey Bates honored and delivered thanks to South Summit School District Superintendent, Greg Maughan for his idea turned into reality— to bring a School Resource Officer into the South Summit School District. Summit County helped make this possible by providing half the funding for the position. Deputy Wes Stewart is the officer making strides in this important role in keeping students and staff safe at South Summit Schools.

Here is what Superintendent Greg Maughan had to say about the partnership during the council meeting:



“And that’s what this whole partnership has felt like is: the right people in the right place, at the right time to make this happen. So thank you to you as a council for  supporting that, thank you to the Sheriff’s department, and thank you, personally, to the Board for also being willing to invest in that kind of a partnership. IT’s already been fantastic and kids are already benefiting just from the relationship piece of things. They love our SRO, and that’s what it’s all about…”

CEDAR CREST OVERLAY UPDATE

The Eastern Summit County Planning Commission held another work session related to the Cedar Crest Village Overlay project on Thursday, April 18. 

The primary purpose of the meeting was to hear from the applicant and have an open discussion on their proposed enabling ordinance document, which includes development standards and the community structure plan. 

The applicant is hopeful that the ordinance will receive a recommendation from the planning commission soon. From there, it would be presented to the county council for their final approval. 

To be clear, an approval of the ordinance would not mean final project approval. Basically, the possible approval of this ordinance would provide guidelines for what the applicant’s future land map has to include. 

The Planning Commission had the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback for the applicant on the ordinance. From here, they will take the feedback and come back for a public hearing. The next tentatively scheduled meeting is on Thursday, May 16 at 6 PM. For more information about the project please visit summitcounty.org/cedarcrest.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT SPEAKER SERIES EVENTS IN MAY

The health of the environment around us has a direct impact on our human health. The Summit County Health Department encourages the public to attend their next session in the Climate Change and Public Health Speaker Series this May 2024 focused on “Health + Our Changing Environment”.

Attendees will have the opportunity to share their ideas, concerns, and questions about how a changing environment along the Wasatch Back is impacting their health, and that of their family and community.

We will be hosting two events with the same topics and format to encourage participation and gather feedback from both the Eastern and Western sides of Summit County.

The details are as follows:

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• May 14: 5:30 – 7:00pm @ Kamas Services Building
  
• May 20: 5:30pm – 7:00pm @ Swaner Preserve + Eco Center
  

For more info and register visit: summitcountyhealth.org/speakerseries

TRAILS TRASH TUNES

We’ve been talking about this event for the past few weeks on the podcast…but we’re here to spread the good word that The Summit County Stormwater Coalition and the Summit County Planning Department are presenting the THIRD Annual “Trails, Trash and Tunes” event on Saturday, May 11th from 12pm – 4pm at the Wanship Trailhead.



There are some exciting new developments to share about this already spectacular event: the first 50 attendees to arrive at the event to get a FREE meal voucher for food by Savoury Kitchen Park City!!!

The purpose of the event is to welcome in springtime and celebrate the Earth with some rail trail cleanup, education about stormwater, noxious weeds identification and more.

There will be LIVE music from Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, presented by Mountaintown Music, a beer garden with brews for sale by Offset Bier, kids activities thanks to Summit County Library with coloring, books, and games.

Registration is FREE and not required, but we would really like to know how many people to expect, so do us a favor and register TODAY to let us know you’re coming at: summitcounty.info/trailstrashtunes24

TICK SAFETY

Tick season has begun. Spending time outside could bring you in close contact with ticks. Ticks live in grassy, brushy, and wooded areas, or even on animals. Many people get ticks in their own yard or neighborhood. Long-sleeved clothing and certain insect repellants can help keep the ticks away. Light-colored clothing also makes the ticks easier to spot.

We want to encourage everybody to take protective action as the bugs come out this season. Here are things you can do to prevent tick and other bug bites:

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• Use (EPA)-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE)
  
• Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass 
  
• Walk in the center of trails
  
• Treat clothing and gear with 0.5% permethrin
  

If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove the tick as soon as possible. There are several tick removal devices on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers works very well.

If you get a tick bite and develop symptoms like rashes, aches and pains, and the fever/chills within a few weeks, see your healthcare provider.

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE OPPORTUNITIES

Apply now through May 1 to serve as a Volunteer on Citizen Committees within Eastern Summit County or  Snyderville Basin. These committees are focused on providing feedback and recommendations to county leadership regarding the County’s Moderate Income Housing strategies for both of these regions.

Summit County is seeking: Two individuals to serve on the committee representing Eastern Summit County Moderate Income Housing Plan and two individuals representing the Snyderville Basin Moderate Income Housing Plan.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on May 1. The requirements and additional details can be found online at: summitcounty.org/VolunteerBoards

For questions, contact Summit County’s Economic Development & Housing Manager, Elyse Kats, ekats@summitcounty.org.c