Service Committee Members

Paul Walton, Chair, Lori Galindo, Kirstin Burdge, Amanda Blair, Jenn Beck, Steve Miller

Current Service Opportunities we are working on:

• 1. Promote signups for Volunteers for the Sept 13 Avenues Street Fair

• 2. Fund school lunches for Ensign Elementary School students:
• Dear Friends and Community Members,
• Many students in the Salt Lake City School District have unpaid lunch balances. Even small debts can place a significant burden on families, creating unnecessary stress and hardship.
  Our district is committed to feeding every child, regardless of their ability to pay. While this ensures no child goes hungry, it also places a substantial financial strain on our schools. We are relying on the strength of our community to step in.
  I invite you to join this important effort to reduce and eliminate lunch debt in the Salt Lake City School District. Whether you choose to make a personal donation or a contribution through your business or organization, every dollar truly matters.
  How You Can Help:
  · Donate directly: https://ensign.slcschools.org/make-a-donation
  · Spread the word: Share this initiative with your friends, family, and coworkers.
  · Sponsor a child or a classroom: We can help coordinate your donation to support a specific school or number of students.
  If you have any questions or are interested in getting involved in other ways, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The Salt Lake Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting all schools within the Salt Lake City School District. When you designate your donation for school lunch debt, 100% of your contribution will go directly toward that purpose.
  Please join is in working together to ensure that no family is burdened by lunch debt. Your support will make a lasting impact.
  With gratitude,
  The GACC Service Committee

• 3. The monthly Avenues Community Kindness Award
• Community Kindness Program – Winner for August! by Jenn Beck
• Damon Grayson was nominated by his neighbors on 4th and J who wish to remain anonymous, for “his kindness
  and being a helpful member of the Avenues community. His grandmother lives in the neighborhood and Damon is a walker. He often walks by my home on 4th Avenue at least once a day. Damon is a friendly, outgoing person. When I am in the yard or sitting on my porch, he always says hello and often asks if I need anything. I’m in my 70’s and have taken him up on the offer numerous times over the years, from helping with garbage bins to lifting things for me to shoveling snow in an emergency. Thanks to Damon for being a kind human being and a good Avenues neighbor.” Damon will receive a $25 gift card to an Avenues business of his choice! 
  This award happens every month! Avenues residents can nominate others in the community. Each month The GACC Service Committee will recognize the randomly chosen winner to receive a $25 gift card from an Avenues business of their choice!
  To submit a nominee: 
  1) Send an email to Jenn Beck at jennjbeck@gmail.com
  2) Provide the name and contact info (phone & email if possible) for the person being nominated
  3) Give a brief description of the service/kindness
• Thank you to those who submitted nominations and to all those who serve the Avenues community!

Past Service Committee Projects

2024 – Backpacks for Bryant Middle School

2024 – Volunteer Roundup for Memory Grove Cleanup

2024 – Volunteer Roundup for Avenues Street Fair

Apply to be on the Avenues Service committee:

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I am interested in helping: *

• Becoming a Board Member
• Helping with Avenues Street Fair
• Helping with Memory Grove Cleanup
• Serving on a Committee
• Sponsoring GACC

Committees in which you are interested:

• Avenues Athletic League
• Avenues Grants
• Bylaws and SOP's
• Civic Engagement
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• Finance
• Land Use/Housing
• Memory Grove Clean-Up
• Memory Grove Foundation
• Nominating Committee
• Orange Crossing Flags
• Popperton Plots Community Garde
• Salt Lake Avenues Community Choi
• Communications Committee*
• Street Fair
• Wildfire Preparednes

*Steering Committee Oversees Newsletter Committee, Web Page Committee, Social Media Committee

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OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Avenues CERT Committee hosts emergency preparedness events and trains committee members to respond in our neighborhood in case of an emergency.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

In Person Classes Are Back!
Registration for Spring 2025 classes are now open. To register, please click here.

Classes will run for 7 weeks from 6-9pm and will be located at Salt Lake City Fire Training Division (1600 S. Industrial Road, Salt Lake City, UT 84104).

For more information, contact Tess Alexander

(E: tess.alexander@slc.gov / P: 385-444-1311)

Topics Covered in the Online Modules

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Wildfire Preparedness in the Avenues – We Are All At Risk!

UTAH HOUSE BILL 48 – WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE MODIFICATIONS

         To address wildfire risk where residential areas meet open space areas – the Wildland Urban Interface Zone – the State has mandated that all cities adopt these regulations regulating building materials, construction requirements, building separation and landscaping to create more wildfire resistant properties in certain areas.

See House Bill 48 HERE

See the Storyboard on the Wildland Urban Interface Zoning Ordinance Changes HERE

SLC WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE ORDINANCE

         As a result of House Bill 48 shown above, the Salt Lake City Council has adopted an ordinance that would adopt the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Code required by the State, along with a map that shows where the WUI Fire Code would apply. The ordinance also amends Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code to give precedence to the adopted WUI Code where it conflicts with regulations, with the exception of the Riparian Corridor Overlay. 

Certain Greater Avenues properties will be affected by the adoption of the State Wildland Urban Interface Code.

See more at Salt Lake Wildland Urban Interface Fire Code

See Deseret News Wildland Code article by Carter Williams HERE

TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AND FAMILY

         See the GACC’s Wildfire Committee’s flyer on Personal and Property preparedness HERE

KNOW YOUR FIRE ZONE

Over 1,500 residences within the Avenues are especially vulnerable to wildfire due to their proximity to the fire-prone “Wildland Urban Interface” (WUI).

Many more properties throughout the Avenues are susceptible – due to their density and unpredictable fire weather.

It is important for residents to understand how fire can damage our homes and property, and how we can lessen the possibility of damage.

If each of us does our part to reduce risk, we can collectively create a safer, more resilient neighborhood!

Check Your Fire Risk on the map HERE

REQUEST AN ASSSESSMENT OF YOUR HOME’s FIRE RISK

The Salt Lake City Fire Department will conduct a free assessment of your home’s Fire Risk. Schedule an appointment HERE

WILDFIRE RISK AND HOMEOWNERS’ INSURANCE

An important consideration is your homeowner’s coverage and how it relates to fire risk. Our GACC Wildfire Preparedness committee chair Amy Merritt-Smith has created this Homeowners 101 report with some great suggestions. 

Homeowners’ Insurance Check-up by Amy Merritt-Smith, December 2025

Independent agents and direct homeowners’ insurance policy sellers advise reviewing and possibly updating your policy during the winter, outside wildfire season. Proactively read and understand policy coverage.

Key policy areas to review with your agent are:  

Coverage A: Dwelling and Other Structures, including hardscape, fencing, sheds, and outbuildings. Consider a replacement cost coverage versus a cash value policy. Contractors and recent comparable home sales offer guidance on current price per square foot estimates.

Coverage B: Contents. Inventory and make images of possessions and save those to the cloud. Consider extra coverage for jewelry, art, and antiques.

Coverage C: Loss of Use. Many policies limit coverage to 24 months. Other coverage. This typically includes landscape, debris removal, and code upgrades. Harden your home by creating defensible space around your home’s exterior to increase your safety and potentially influence your premium and coverage.

Always take steps to protect your home and family!  See the GACC Wildfire Committee’s flyer on Personal and Property preparedness at

https://staging.avenuescouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GACC-Wildfire-Flyer-web.pdf

Give your insurer proof of any work you’ve done. 

United Policy Holders is an independent resource for insurance guidelines: www.uphelp.org

Email gaccwildfire@slc-avenues.org with any questions about this information.

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS GUIDELINES 

The best thing a homeowner can do to protect their property is CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE.

Some easy and immediate steps to take are:

• Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris, and pine needles that could catch embers.
• Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration.
• Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening.
• Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers.
• Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows
• Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating.
• Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn.
• Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.

The time you spend on wildfire prevention around your home is important and the SLC Fire Department is asking residents to report the hours you spend removing possible wildfire fuels around your home.

More information on wildfire prevention and preparation can be seen at https://www.slc.gov/fire/wildland/.

LINKS TO WILDFIRE PREPARATION RESOURCES

MAKE A PLAN – Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and your property. See the link for Salt Lake City’s Personal Wildfire Action Plan.  

US Drought monitor – https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

Western US Mega drought – https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/american-west-may-be-entering-megadrought-worse-any-historical-record-180974688/

Be Aware of Weather Conditions – Eastern Great Basin – Rocky Mountain Region

Have a Plan – https://www.slc.gov/fire/ready-set-go/ https://www.ready.gov/wildfires

“Go Bags” – The best go bags are personalized. Everyone’s most likely risks (wildfire, earthquake, etc.) and personal needs (kids, pets, meds, etc) are different. Where we are each likely to evacuate to may also be different (shelter, friends or relatives, office space, etc.).

Prepare a Personalized “Go Bag”: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SOlvLKjMm0D0sWpqjVxX6Tv5ghft3pUl/view

Emergency and Disaster Preparedness: https://beready.utah.gov/

Help Your Children Be Ready For Disasters:  “Sesame Street Wildfires” poster 

Be Ready Utah: DISASTER SUPPLY KIT CHECKLIST

 How Do Homes Burn in a Wildfire? (Hint – It is often the small things!)

Yard Litter and Landscaping – Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)

Remodeling Structural Envelopes To Reduce Fire Risk

Five Things That Can Protect Communities 

SLC has a new Citizen Wildfire Mitigation Program 

SLC Guidelines for Trimming and Seeding of Grasses on Salt Lake City Open Space Lands Adjacent to Eligible Parcels

See the Wildfire Evacuation Checklist HERE

 Please contact your Greater Avenues Wildfire Preparedness Community Liaison, Amy Merritt-Smith at gaccwildfire@slc-avenues.org. or call (707) 849-6124 with any questions.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Whether windstorm, earthquake, or other disaster, we need to be ready.

Emergency Preparedness Fair

Be Ready

Emergency Preparedness
The Greater Avenues Community Council Encourages all residents to be prepared for an emergency. Whether windstorm, earthquake, or other disaster, we need to be ready.

On April 22nd, 2023, the Greater Avenues Community Council and the Emigration and Ensign Stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held an Emergency Preparedness Fair at Ensign Elementary School. The theme of the event was “96-Hour Kits for All.” 96 Hour Kits are also called a Go Bag, or Bug-Out Bag. The Salt Lake City Office of Emergency Management suggests 96 Hour Kit of items for your 96 Hour Kit.

We thank all presenters and vendors, and all who attended.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD