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From YouTube: Mayor Frost AF State of the City 2020
Description
Every year the Mayor delivers a State of the City address to the Chamber of Commerce and the public. This address is an opportunity to report on the previous year’s successes and what lies ahead for the city. This year Mayor Frost discussed the successes the city enjoyed in 2019 as well as how American Fork City is readying itself for growth in the future.
A
Over
the
holidays,
I
received
several
Christmas
cards
from
friends,
family
and
loved
ones,
but
this
was
the
first
year.
I
also
received
a
New
Year's
greeting
card
from
a
good
friend.
Maybe
they
were
trying
to
be
a
little
different,
or
maybe
they
just
simply
missed
the
window
over
the
Christmas
card,
I'm,
not
sure,
but
either
way.
I
was
struck
by
the
message
that
the
card
conveyed
in
a
simple,
yet
powerful
statement.
The
card
read
dear
future.
We
are
ready.
I
was
taken
by
the
confidence
in
the
proclamation.
A
The
statement,
of
course,
prompted
a
great
deal
of
self-reflection
and
left
me
wondering
if
I
could
make
such
a
bold
statement
about
my
personal
life.
However,
when
I
began
to
think
about
this
statement
and
how
it
applies
to
American,
Fork
City
I
felt
more
confident
proclaiming
dear
future.
We're
ready
today
I'd
like
to
outline
the
ways
in
which
we
are
ready
or
getting
ready
for
the
future.
Like
many
of
our
neighboring
cities,
AF
is
experiencing
unprecedented
growth
and
why
wouldn't
people
want
to
locate
here?
A
We
are
ideally
situated
with
access
to
the
lake
to
the
mountains
and
a
proximity
to
Salt,
Lake
and
Provo
armed
areas.
Last
year
we
issued
795
building
permits
the
most
we've
ever
issued
in
a
given
year.
This
amounts
to
about
a
hundred
and
eighty
million
dollars
investment
into
our
community,
which
means
housing,
job
growth
and
entertainment.
A
This
also
means
greater
demand
on
our
staff,
including
our
inspectors,
but
we
are
committed
to
improve
and
expedite
our
permitting
processes
without
compromising
building
safety.
Some
tend
to
blame
outsiders
for
our
huge
housing
demand,
but
the
truth
is
most
of
the
people
moving
in
are
our
own
children
and
grandchildren.
That
tells
me
two
things
one.
A
We
are
doing
something
right
as
parents,
teachers,
leaders,
businesses
and
neighbors
if
our
kids
want
to
come
back
and
secondly,
we
are
doing
something
right
as
a
community
if
American
Fork
is
a
desirable
location
for
new
generations
to
move
to
Whitney
Houston
was
right
when
she
said
children
are
our
future,
but
before
we
start
patting
ourselves
on
the
back
for
good
parenting,
we
should
recognize.
We
still
have
a
lot
more
work
to
do.
Of
course,
we
can't
talk
about
our
youth
without
mentioning
Alpine
School
District,
who
play
a
pivotal
role
in
shaping
our
children.
A
Well,
there
is
no
substitute
for
caring,
loving
and
present
parents
in
the
home.
Alpine
has
done
tremendous
work
in
fostering
healthy,
educated,
well,
grounded,
kids.
In
addition
to
teaching
the
core
subjects,
Alpine
has
taken
upon
themselves
to
promote
mental
health
and
well-being
through
programs
like
shine
Alpine
and
aware.
We
are
truly
grateful
for
what
they
do
in
readying,
our
children
for
the
future
and
participating
and
making
our
community
thrive.
A
A
The
city
shares
pools
and
field
space,
while
the
district
shares
auditoriums
and
gym
space
and
through
our
new
communities
that
care
program,
the
city
and
school
district
are
collaborating
like
never
before
communities
that
care
or
CTC
is
a
national
program
that
uses
data
and
community
involvement
to
target
issues
specific
to
our
community
youth
who
come
from
towns
with
CTC
programs
are
33
percent,
less
likely
to
initiate
cigarette
use.
32
percent
less
likely
to
initiate
alcohol
use
and
25
percent
less
likely
to
initiate
delinquent
behavior.
A
The
CTC
is
a
co-op
between
the
city,
schools,
businesses
and
the
residents.
It
is
people,
volunteering
time
to
solve
challenges
specific
to
American
Fork
I
thank
everyone
who
is
participating
in
our
CTC
program
and
vite
others
interested
to
get
involved
by
reaching
out
to
our
CTC
coordinator.
The
only
way
our
youth
will
be
ready
for
the
future
is
if
we
are
willing
to
teach
them
and
the
only
way
to
teach
them
is
if
we
are
ready
ourselves.
A
A
Then
there's
Larry
and
vada
hunter,
who
helped
those
displaced
by
the
Paradise
fire
in
California
by
donating
their
5th
wheel,
trailer
and
gathering
supplies
to
fill
another
five
trailers,
all
of
which
were
sent
to
California
I,
have
seen
many
great
acts
of
kindness
during
my
time
as
mayor.
But
I
also
know
that
countless
other
acts
of
kindness,
I,
haven't
seen,
take
place
by
good
men
and
women
that
live
around
us.
A
People
choose
to
serve
one
another
will
do
more
to
prepare
us
for
the
future
than
any
program
utility
or
a
manatee
can
do
as
I
reflected
on
how
we
can
ready
our
community
for
the
future.
I
was
reminded
of
something
I
mentioned
when
I
started
my
term
as
mayor,
which
I
think
is
worth
revisiting.
It
is
that
we
live
in
a
great
community
with
great
people,
but
it's
my
optic
to
think
that
the
only
way
to
maintain
our
quality
of
life
is
not
to
grow.
A
Closing
the
doors
to
growth
will
cut
us
off
from
the
better
things
to
come.
We
need
to
think
higher
than
that
and
realize
if
we
work
together
to
be
a
strong,
unified
and
involved
community,
that
we
will
maintain
our
identity
as
growth
occurs.
In
fact,
our
identity
will
be
transmitted
to
all
who
come
in
growth
is
inevitable.
A
Change
is
inevitable.
It
is
up
to
us
to
determine
how
to
best
guide
that
growth
and
change,
so
it
benefits
the
community
preserves
our
character,
maintains
our
quality
of
life
while
still
giving
a
future
generations
opportunities
to
live,
work
and
play
around
us
another
way
or
we
are
getting
ready
for
the
future,
is
by
building
a
team
of
great
city
employees
that
have
forward-thinking
attitudes
as
a
municipality.
A
We
differ
in
a
way
from
a
regular
business
or
corporation
like
yours,
cities
can't
measure
success
by
profit
margins
or
counting
the
number
of
goods
sold,
but
one
measuring
stick
we
do
have
in
common
with
businesses
is
that
of
customer
service
for
cities
and
businesses
alike.
We
are
only
as
good
as
our
employees
I
want
to
tell
you.
We
have
great
employees
in
American,
Fork
city,
they
work,
they
serve,
they
volunteer
and
they
go
to
the
extra
mile.
A
By
no
means
are
we
perfect,
but
for
a
group
of
people
who
work
inside
a
community
fishbowl
to
be
judged
of
everyone,
they
are
incredible.
We
are
always
striving
to
be
better,
which
I
think
think
as
an
organization.
Our
attitude
is
what
should
be
willing
to
accomplish
even
more
and
always
looking
for
ways
to
improve,
and
then
in
that
sense
our
employees
are
ready
for
the
future.
A
A
They
are
willing
to
tackle
complex
issues,
not
because
it's
easy,
but
because
it's
right
they
work
well
together.
You
have
to
be
glutton
for
punishment
to
be
on
the
City
Council.
You
guys
know
that,
no
matter
what
decision
you
make,
there
will
always
be
a
group
that
disagrees
and
they
will
let
you
know
it,
but
I
promise
you.
In
spite
of
this,
our
City
Council
is
always
serving
the
best
interests
of
the
community,
whether
council,
members,
business
owners,
city
staff,
volunteers
or
residents.
A
We
are
all
pulling
the
same
wagon
forward,
so
let's
work
together,
share
the
load
and
make
sure
we
are
pulling
towards
the
future.
In
addition
to
readying
our
people
for
the
future,
we
of
course
need
to
be
readying
our
physical
space.
Last
year,
you
approved
the
construction
of
a
new
fire
station
in
the
northeast
portion
of
town
and
property
in
the
south
part
of
town
for
a
future
station.
Thank
you
so
much
for
approving
this
critical
need.
A
A
The
transports
numbers
have
come
in
for
2019
and
we
have
retained
our
title
as
the
busiest
fire
station
in
Utah
County
last
year
we
handled
3910
calls
which
is
728
more
than
the
previous
year
2018,
not
to
be
outdone.
Our
police
have
also
done
more
with
less
and
developed,
and
development
has
stretched
them
while
they
need
to
grow.
I
am
always
amazed
at
how
effective
our
Police
Department
is
at
levee
grants
and
other
resources
to
get
work
done.
A
We
are
excited
for
some
other
key
transportation
projects
that
will
prepare
us
for
the
future.
In
order
to
reduce
congestion,
we
need
more
and
better
connectivity
connectivity
like
what
the
Canal
Boulevard
will
provide
by
serving
a
major,
east-west
connection
through
northern
American
Fork.
The
Canal
Boulevard
will
reduce
the
traffic
that
comes
down
State
Street.
Another
key,
east-west
link
will
be
connecting
700
north
between
100
East
and
200
East.
A
Thanks
to
mag
funding,
we
can
begin
design
work
for
this
critical
road
which
will
have
this
signal
on
100
East
and
a
grade
downhill
that
will
be
less
steep
than
600
North
by
the
star
mill.
I.
Think
if
you've
been
up
that
hill,
you
all
know
what
that,
additionally,
we
are
working
with
you
dot
on
the
vineyard
collector,
from
which
construction
has
already
begun
in
vineyard
city.
That
road
will
be
of
will
be
vital
to
supplement
the
congestion,
I,
15
and
State
Street
is
in
our
town.
A
While
we
keep
building
roads
and
improving
connectivity,
we
also
need
to
be
looking
at
public
transit.
This
is
another
element
we
are
planning
for,
knowing
it
will
be
an
essential
infrastructure
in
the
near
future.
Well,
it's
wonderful
to
have
I
15
in
our
community.
As
many
of
you
have
observed,
it
acts
as
a
little
littoral
barrier
between
American
for
between
development
on
north
and
the
south
side
of
our
city.
A
Currently,
the
front
runner
station
is
like
an
item
from
which
you
can
see
but
not
reach,
and
you
cannot
meet
the
mainland
that
is
our
metal
shopping
center
with
the
Tod
another
growth
coming.
We
know
the
south
side
will
eventually
be
its
own
mainland,
which
makes
connecting
our
two
sides
all
the
more
important
for
this
suite
reason.
A
We
have
made
great
strides
in
rating
our
recreational
and
cultural
spaces
for
the
future.
To
date,
part
funds
have
provided
four
million
dollars
in
arts
and
recreational
opportunities.
With
this
money
the
community
has
enjoyed
more,
plays
and
more
playgrounds.
We
have
enjoyed
performances
by
the
Alpine
Community
Theatre,
the
Timpanogos
Arts
Foundation,
and
fork
fest
by
the
Harringtons
Harrington
Center
for
the
Arts.
We
have
completed
playgrounds,
parking,
lots
and
pavilions,
most
notably,
we
will
finish
the
art
dye
park
this
spring
thanks
to
Park
funds.
A
We
are
incredibly
grateful
to
our
community
for
approving
the
part
funds
which
have
been
a
tremendous
boon
to
the
American
Fork
City's
quality
of
life.
If
we
want
to
be
ready
for
the
future,
we'll
need
businesses
that
provide
important,
important
services
and
our
invest
invested
community
members.
We
have
wonderful
businesses
in
our
city
and
are
continually
adding
more
every
year.
A
Some
notable
business
to
announce
is
the
Amazon
delivery
station
built
bar,
which
will
locate
in
the
former
twin
labs,
building
on
north
Utah,
Valley,
Drive
and
I'm
pleased
to
announce
that
Woodberry
has
begun
construction
of
a
class-a
office
tower
that
will
be
5
storeys.
Approximately
one
thousand
five
hundred
and
fifty-five
thousand
square
feet
and
located
near
500,
East
and
I
have
seen
the
rand
ition
of
this
building,
and
it
will
be
one
of
the
more
beautiful
buildings
that
you'll
notice
along
the
entire
northern
Wasatch
Front.
A
This
will
only
add
to
the
terrific
businesses
we're
already
enjoying
I
think
our
businesses
that
locate
here
serve
our
residents
and
invest
in
our
community.
Your
presence
improve
us
all
and
help
provide
the
ever-changing
needs
of
a
growing
and
dynamic
city.
The
last
way
we
are
readying
ourselves
for
the
future
is
in
our
infrastructure.
Managing
what
goes
under
the
ground
is
some
of
the
most
important
aspects
of
what
a
city
does.
Yet
it's
one
of
the
least
sexy
ways
of
spending
a
dollar.
What
I
mean
is
it's
important,
but
often
not
seen?
A
Nonetheless,
we
are
committed
to
improving
and
updating
our
critical
infrastructure.
We
are
working
to
update
our
road
plan
to
show
red
residents
what's
been
accomplished
and
what
it
will
take
to
improve
the
remaining
Network.
We
have
some
major
water
lines
that
need
to
be
installed
or
updated,
that
we
are
planning
for
and
as
a
development
occurs,
we
make
sure
they
cover
their
own
water
by
adding
water
rights
to
the
city's
portfolio.
A
We
have
also
had
tremendous
success
with
our
new,
with
our
sewer
slip
lining
program
such
that
we
have
been
able
to
hold
off
increasing
TSS
D
rates
or
some
know
it
as
the
sewer
plant
for
our
residents.
We
have
made
great
strides
in
our
infrastructure
and
our
planning
for
the
future
I'd
like
to
spend
a
couple
minutes
about
fiber
in
our
community
and
why
this
is
an
issue
worthy
of
our
attention.
A
Fiber
really
is
the
new
utility
connectivity
is
the
first
thing
developers
ask
about
when
deciding
where
to
build,
even
before
impact
fees,
permitting
costs
or
parking
requirements.
In
addition
to
general
demands
for
internet
fiber
will
be
essential
for
future
needs
like
5g
and
can
be
used
for
other
services
like
education,
health
care,
telecommuting,
an
emergency
response.
A
Additionally,
a
F
has
a
number
of
assets
that
give
us
an
advantage
when
it
comes
to
providing
fiber,
we
already
have
a
network
operating
center
or
we
call
the
NOC
and
we
already
own
fiber.
We
are
the
only
city
that
owns
fiber
along
the
I-15
corridor,
rather
than
let
these
assets
go
unused
or
sell
them
off
for
a
fraction
of
their
value.
We
are
investigating
a
plan
that
could
utilize
them
and
benefit
the
city,
the
residents
and
even
other
communities.
A
Well,
the
man
for
Internet
is
vital
everywhere
in
AF
supply
is
not
yes,
there
are
already
Internet
service
providers
and
companies
that
provide
fiber.
A
few
cities
have
used
their
model,
and
that
is
a
possibility
we
are
exploring
as
well,
but
we
want
to
make
sure
we
are
not
signing
a
deal
that
leaves
the
city
with
all
the
benefits
and
our
residents
and
businesses
with
all
the
risk.
A
Our
community
deserves
all
the
essential
infrastructure
expected
in
this
day
and
age,
and
it
served
our
job
to
work
out
the
most
responsible
way
to
provide
it.
The
city
has
a
big
undertaking
in
preparing
for
the
future.
In
addition
to
up
to
preparing
our
residents,
we
need
to
look
at
what
goes
over
and
under
the
ground
and
ensure
that
it's
ready
for
the
future
as
well,
and
why
we
may
not
have
everything
fixed.
We
have
a
plan
and
we
are
committed
to
accomplishing
them.
A
Our
council
and
staff
are
willing
to
forego
the
short-term
gain
for
the
long
term
solution.
If
you
find
yourself
hopping
on
the
freeway
at
1600
north
and
are
more
near
the
roller
mills
in
Lehi.
If
you're
able
to
see
our
large
American
flag
at
the
cemetery,
our
great
flag
is
an
indication
of
where
home
is.
There
is
something
unifying
about
being
able
to
see
the
flag
from
anywhere
I'd
like
to
think
the
flag
has
been
a
unifying
symbol
for
our
community.
A
Before
we
were
ever
American
Fork,
we
were
American
fort
in
my
mind's
eye
that
fort
had
an
American
flag,
also
with
far
fewer
stars,
hoisted
up
on
its
wall,
a
beacon
of
home
and
safety
for
the
pioneers
at
the
bottom
of
our
flag.
Today
we
have
the
statue
of
responsibility
as
designed
by
Gary
Lee
price,
an
object
memorializing
our
duties
to
share
the
American
values
of
hard
work,
equality,
independence
and
justice
with
others
and
carry
them
into
the
future.
A
Gandhi
said
the
future
depends
on
what
we
do
today,
close
quote
whether
it's
our
people
our
place
or
our
infrastructure.
We
are
preparing
for
what
lies
ahead
by
making
good
decisions.
Now
we
are
striving
to
live
up
by
the
values
we
want
to
teach
our
children,
so
when
they
grow
up,
they
can
then
carry
them
forward.
If
we
can
create
a
unified
vision
for
our
great
city,
we
can
stand
with
confidence
and
say,
dear
future,
we
are
ready.
Thank
you.