Davis County Homeless Shelter Update

As you may know from previous City communications, the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 298 (HB298) in 2024, which, among other things, requires counties of the second class, including Davis County, to convene a Winter Response Task Force to develop a plan for providing shelter for homeless individuals between October 15 and April 30. Per the statute, the winter response plan must be submitted to the state Office of Homeless Services on or before August 1, 2024.  The statute also requires the Task Force to submit a plan for a temporary shelter during a “Code Blue Alert” to house unsheltered individuals on days when the temperature is forecasted to reach 15 degrees. In accordance with the state statute, the Davis County Winter Response Task Force comprises mayors from several cities, including Kaysville, and is chaired by the Davis County Commissioner.  

The Task Force has considered a number of possible responses to the Code Blue shelter requirement, including converting various Davis County-owned facilities into temporary shelters during Code Blue nights. As many already know, county facilities that have been considered included two locations in Kaysville among other locations throughout Davis County: the Central Davis Senior Center (21 E Center St) adjacent to City Hall and the old county emissions testing center (20 N 600 W) directly north of Deseret Mills. Mayor Tran and the Kaysville City Council have strongly opposed any location in Kaysville being used for a shelter and have instead proposed an alternate solution that the Task Force recommend to the state that a warming bus be purchased for Code Blue in lieu of converting any brick-and-mortar building into a temporary shelter. The County Winter Response Task Force began to take interest in the warming bus proposal following much research by Kaysville City, including calls with cities across the US and Canada that have used warming buses. The City’s research included Mayor Tran and her husband taking time from their recent vacation in Florida to meet with a non-profit organization that converts old commercial buses into warming buses with 16 to 20 private sleeping pods.    

Kaysville is grateful for the collaborative efforts of the Task Force and the willingness of the Task Force to agree on an innovative alternative to a temporary or permanent shelter. The Task Force voted unanimously on Monday, July 29, to submit the warming bus plan to be funded by the state (a cost of approximately $150,000 plus ongoing operational costs). The State now has a two-week deadline to review the plan and determine whether it is compliant with the state legislation. 

Additional details on Kaysville’s recommendation to the Task Force and its response to the County Commissioner can be viewed on the City’s website along with other general information on the homeless shelter topic. Please stay tuned for updates on the City’s website and Facebook page.

Fire Hydrant Flushing

Each summer, as a proactive measure to support water quality, public works departments across the country periodically flush water out of hydrants. This process helps replace stagnant water with newer, fresher water in the culinary water system and regulates chlorine levels. While it may seem like water is being wasted, this flushed water flows through the city's storm drain system into local wetlands and eventually reaches the Great Salt Lake.

In addition to enhancing water quality, flushing hydrants enables crews to test them for proper function, ensuring readiness for future fire suppression needs.

During these operations, please refrain from touching or altering hydrants and their hoses. If you observe any unauthorized activity, please notify Kaysville City Public Works at 801-544-8112 (during business hours) or 801-299-7733 (after hours). Your cooperation is appreciated. Thank you!

Back-to-School: Crossing Zones

As students head back to school in August, it is crucial to remind everyone to play their part in ensuring a safe environment as students make their way to school. Here are some safety tips for school crossing zones:

Obey Speed Limits: Reduced limits in school zones give drivers more time to react and stop.

Stay Alert: Look for school crossing signs, flashing lights, and crossing guards. Expect sudden movements from children.

Stop for School Buses: Wait until the bus has completely finished its stop and retracted its stop sign before proceeding.

Use Crosswalks: Pedestrians should always use designated crosswalks and obey traffic signals and crossing guards.

Teach Safe Crossing: Instruct children to look left, right, and left again before crossing. Make eye contact with drivers when possible.

Avoid Distractions: Both drivers and pedestrians should put away cell phones and headphones.

Obey Crossing Guards: Follow their signals and directions without question.

Yield to Pedestrians: Drivers should always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and intersections.

Be Patient: Especially during busy drop-off and pick-up times. Avoid rushing.

Respect Parking Rules: Don’t park in no-parking zones or block driveways near schools.

Following these tips promotes safety in school zones, protecting students and creating a safer environment for everyone. Safety is a shared responsibility among drivers, pedestrians, parents, and school authorities.

Davis County Leash Laws

Just a reminder that Davis County leash laws state that dogs must be on a leash or in an adequate enclosure when off their owner's property. There are designated off-leash dog parks, but if you are not in one, your pet should be on a leash. This includes school grounds and churches.

Here are some off-leash parks in the area: Brickyard Bark Park (Bountiful), Foxboro Dog Park (Woods Cross), Barlow Dog Park (Clearfield), Ogden City Dog Park, South Ogden Dog Park, and Roy City Dog Park.

In Kaysville, animals are prohibited in all city parks except Wilderness Park and the Rail Trail. Dogs are allowed on park sidewalks that run parallel to a city street. 

Penalties for off-leash pets start at $30 and increase with each offense. Leash laws protect your dog’s safety and prevent liability, as unrestrained pets can lead to attacks or bites.

Remember, shock collars are not a substitute for leashes. More pet rules and laws can be found on the Davis County Animal Care website. To report loose dogs, call Animal Care of Davis County dispatch at 801-444-2200.