Hey Mayor Bert Wilson, time to start enforcing and adhering to City code exactly as it is written

The Mayor of the City ultimately responsible to make sure ALL city code is adhered to and enforced exactly as it is written. The Mayor and other members of his administration and staff can't pick and choose which codes they will adhere to, enforce or ignore.  We elected our Mayor to make sure he does not play favorites, but is judicious and makes sure city code is enforced exactly as it is written.

We as citizens of Lehi don't get to pick and choose which laws and city codes we will obey. We are expected to obey the law and live within the guidelines (city code) set forth by the city. 

Have you ever been stopped by law enforcement for speeding?  Have you ever needed to get a permit for anything from the city?  There are laws and city code that we are all expected to obey. When we don't obey the law, we get a ticket or are arrested.  When we don't adhere to city code, we are subject to a fine.

So Mayor, it is time for you to make sure "The City" is also in compliance with adhering to and enforcing city code exactly as it is written.

YOU DON'T GET TO PICK IN CHOOSE WHICH CODES YOU WILL ADHERE TO AND WHICH CODES YOU ENFORCE, YOU MUST ADHERE TO AND ENFORCE THEM ALL EXACTLY AS IT IS WRITTEN.

Let me give you and example of where the Mayor and the City have chosen to ignore city code.  I am certain all of you who read this can come up with your own example.  Or, maybe you could come up with an example of where the Mayor or City has selectively enforced various city codes or laws. Quite possibly, you were on the wrong end of that selective enforcement.

My example comes from Chapter 28 of the Lehi City code.  Chapter 28 governs Resort Communities, specifically in my example, the Thanksgiving Point Resort Community.

Here is what the code says:

Section 07.050 Public Support REQUIREMENTS

The large scale public nature of a Resort Specific Zone requires the specialized support of various public services. The property owners shall therefore make certain allowances within the Resort Specific Zone property for public facilities and public support operations.

A. Fire/EMS Substation. One half acre of property shall be dedicated to the City without cost whereon a Fire Sub-station may be constructed and operated by the city.
B. Police Sub-station.  A facility or space within a facility shall be provided to the City without cost wherein a Police Sub-station may be operated.
C. Utility Transaction.  A space within a facility shall be provided to the City without cost where in the public and City may conduct transactions for public utilities.
D. Security Services.  A professional security staff shall be employed by the property owners in an effort to help promote public safety.  The resort's security staff shall cooperate with City Police and Fire Departments, but shall in no way or at any time replace or assume the responsibilities of the City Police and Fire Department.

This is the specific language in the code which is not be enforced or adhered to by the City of Lehi.

Did you know that in Chapter 28, section 28.010 Purpose and Intent, subsection C it states

Capture previously unreachable tax revenues by

PROVIDING INCENTIVES AND ATTRACTION FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND RETAIL OPERATORS FROM OUTSIDE THE STATE TO LOCATE IN THE NEW DESTINATION COMMUNITY OF LEHI CITY.

Now how many of the business owners or retail operators do you know who have their headquarters outside the State of Utah?  Not very many, I can assure you.

It also says in section F

Support public service entities such as Police and Fire Departments by dedicating land or utilizing certain space within the Resort Community Zone at no cost to the City.

This to my knowledge has not happened.  I personally would like to have additional security services in the Thanksgiving Point area.  I have had my car broken into as have many other people who live in my neighborhood.

There are numerous sections of Chapter 28 that the city is not adhering to, enforcing and have chosen for whatever reason to ignore.

This is only one chapter of dozens which the City is responsible for making sure it too is adhering to and enforcing exactly as it is written.

We elected the Mayor and City Council members to represent the citizens of Lehi and we expect you to make sure you adhere to and enforce the code exactly as they are written. You don't get to pick and choose or skirt the law and the code for special interest groups or individuals, you must treat everyone equally and fairly.

If you know of a law or code the city is choosing to ignore, enforce or adhere to, please feel free to leave a comment.