City Council - Regular Meeting

Welcome everyone to our September 1st, 2026 city council meeting. We have a pretty packed agenda tonight. We're looking forward to doing the recognition of the responders to the North Union apartment fire. But as we always do, we start our city council meetings with a pledge of allegiance. So if you wouldn't mind standing.

Okay, thank you.

And to get started, Rory, will you call the roll and see who's here?

Yes, Council Member Brown.

Here.

Michelash. Here. Billings. Here. Robinson. Here. And Glover.

Here. Okay, that is all of us. We have a quorum. We can proceed. So today will be just a little bit different than usual, as you can see by all of the folks here in the audience. So I'm actually going to use the mobile microphone here and come down off stage once I figure out how to do it. Can everyone hear me? Okay. Okay. So as everyone in this room knows, on July 31st, oh my goodness, it's been over a month already, we had a significant apartment fire at North Union Apartments. We had over 220 households that were displaced. We had fire crews on scene for how many days? Five? We had quite a presence from the Unified Police Department. We really had everyone in Midvale and the surrounding communities show up for our residents, whether that is mutual aid through different fire departments. I think every fire department in the Salt Lake Valley showed up at one point or another. We had Lehigh sent mutual aid as well. So we really thought, we tried to do our best as we could in the first few days of getting people into temporary housing. So that was the part that a lot of people on this side of the room were engaged in and including myself as mayor. But first, All of the thanks goes to the Unified Fire Authority and other agencies who sent mutual aid to get the fire out. The fact that nobody was injured, a miracle. There are so many miracles that happen throughout this whole process. So one, I think we all should give a round of applause to Unified Fire Authority. Because again, and I've said it before in council meetings, when everyone's running out of the building, these are the people running into the building and we are forever in your debt. Such a brave and courageous acts that you guys did during the hottest days of the summer as well. that certainly didn't help anything but you know the things that you guys did were absolutely inspiring to me as mayor and I'm just so glad that nobody was injured and we lived to tell the tale and we learned from what happened with that apartment fire and now we begin the process of seeing what we can do to prevent these types of things in the future. So we do have quite a number of folks to recognize because putting out the fire was step one. Obviously that's the most important step when there's a fire. However, rebuilding people's lives after the fire was certainly something that needed to be done and it was something, it is interesting how a lot of people on this side of the room were after, this is like during the fire, but both were very equally as important. And I do want to say Unified Police Department as well. It wasn't just closing off roads, although you guys did that perfectly. Good job. But there's a lot more to the police presence and a fire of this magnitude. So we appreciate that as well. So what I would like to do is I have certificates for folks, I have letters for folks, and I have what some people call challenge coins. I've called these mayoral medallions. It sounds a little bit better, I think. But before we get started doing that, is there anyone on the council who would like to say a few words? I know Councilmember Bonnie Billings represents the district that North Union Apartments was on. So not to put you

guys on the spot but I didn't want to hog the microphone and you guys have anything you want to get into well I just really quickly just wanted to express my thanks and I know that's what we've been doing for the last few weeks as well here and what we're doing tonight but I I live across the street from the apartment complex and so I pretty much saw what was happening from the moment it started. I thought it was actually my complex that was having the alarm and I located my cat before I did anything else to make sure I knew where she was, but then I figured it was not us and it was North Union. By the time I left my house at about 7.50 a.m., there was already responders on top of the building and starting to do the work of that. And then I went to work and I came home an hour later because everything just kind of escalated at that point. And was there, I was talking with residents who were out observing and watching it. And it's one of those things, a really tragic thing, but also one of the first opportunities that neighbors were also gathering and meeting each other, right? So it's some of those weird, strange things that happen in that. But I just wanted to express my thanks to everybody that was there. You kept the scene calm. It wasn't chaotic. It was working well. I thought that when it started spreading to that east building later on in the afternoon, immediately getting into that space to make sure it doesn't jump to another complex, because that would have been really bad. And I appreciate all the work that was done there. So I watched it from start to finish. And so I just wanted to thank you for everything that you did. It was a hot day. It was a hard day. And you guys didn't get to go sit inside. I mean, not that anybody had any condition anyway. But you guys didn't get to go inside. And you guys had to stay and fight that. Thank you so much. And then I did spend some time over at the school, the high school with all the residents as well. And that was well managed as well. So I just wanted to thank everybody for everything you put into that. It's a huge, huge help into that district. I mean, it's such a small district and everybody was pitching in to support that space. So thank you.

Okay, thank you, Councilmember Billings. Let's go ahead and start with a unified fire authority. I'd like to give you the recognition that you guys deserve. So I have certificates here for station 125 and 126. but also for the command staff as well. So I know there were a few command staff members here. And then also, I wanted to just mention Captain Patrick Koston back here. Patrick and I got very familiar with each other during these events. I think you did, what, 100 media interviews? Or did it just seem that way? 50-50. 50-50, OK. Well, we appreciate not only what you guys did to suppress the fire, but also on the back end of what you were doing, letting the media know what was going on, letting residents know what was going on. I know you guys were both very much faces that people turn to for some answers. And Chief K, as well, wherever you are, there you are, front row. So if you guys can come up here, I want to give you these certificates. And I think for Chief K, I'm gonna give you the certificates for the Unified Fire Authority Stations 125 and 126. And thank you guys and gals for everything that you did. So what I'm going to do, I'm going to give a medallion for each 125 and 126. If you guys can find a great place to display it, that would be awesome. But I got these beautiful cases for that display. So I'm going to give this for 125 and this for 126 to Chief K. Thank you. And then command staff, can you step forward if you're, I see one command staff member in the back and Chief Torgerson as well. Chief Russell. I didn't know when Chief Russell got here, but good to see you. Thank you guys. As I know, obviously there's frontline firefighting happening, but there's also a lot going on behind the scenes. There are other assets that needed to be managed those days, and these folks were definitely doing all that work behind the scenes. So I want to, you guys are all out of the county building, right? So I can give you one of these for display. Thank you. And certificate of appreciation. Let me just read the certificate of appreciation. This is what we're giving out to those first responders. Certificate of appreciation. This certificate is presented to in honor of your invaluable contributions during the North Union Apartments fire. Your dedication, professionalism, and willingness to serve inspired confidence, strengthened our community, and exemplified the very best of public service. So we feel that in our bones. I want to give you one as well.

And where is Captain Koston?

There you are. You get your own for handling. handling those as well. And if you guys wouldn't mind sticking around, we would like to get a photograph.

And then, yeah, absolutely. Thank you.

So again, let's have a round of applause for these. We are heroes of the event. We appreciate all that you've done. So please stick around. We'll get a picture out in the lobby when we're done. So thank you so much. Do you guys want to say anything? Anyone who comes up, who I call up here, if you want to say a few words.

Well, I know firefighters are men and women of few words.

They do everything with their actions. And I'd like to recognize Chief Dominic Burchette as well. Thank you for coming, Chief. Okay, next we have Unified Police Department. So I'm going to call up Chief Morse, Lieutenant Wilson, Chief Mazarin, Sergeant Race, Similar thing. So I have one for the precinct. I would like you guys to have that. I could probably give you one of these every day for all of the things that you do. But again, the things that you guys did to secure the scene, to secure the apartment building, all of those things were huge, huge helps. And I know that sometimes when there's a fire, police are also there. But a lot of the credit goes to the firefighters, which well-deserved, but I want to recognize your contributions as well. And also, Sergeant Race, funny story, Sergeant Race, if you haven't met her, is the PIO for Unified Police Department. I know Denise remembers her from our Citizens Academy last year. But Sergeant Race was there addressing the media as well. You became a face that people turned to for answers as well. She also got me out of a very potentially volatile press conference in a way that she knew how, because I was getting some pretty hard questions asked to me. And it was so early in the fire, we just didn't have the answers to those questions yet. And I think you saw that those questions were going in a certain direction, and she saved a lifeline. So definitely appreciate that and all of the efforts here. So I want to give you guys one of these for the precinct. And also, I will never forget Chief Mazarin. Thank you. And Sergeant Race as well. Thank you. I have a certificate for you as well. So let's give a round of applause. And if any of you would like to say a few words. No?

OK. Real quick, this is why the UFA and the UPD model work. Because it wasn't just a few hours, it was days. I just wanted to point that out.

Thank you for that reminder. And as I was writing thank you cards, I realized that so many of the other UFA, I mean, the other UFA community sent their apparatus and their folks as well. So by the end of the day, my hand is going to probably be cramped like this. I'll have to do something. But, you know, it's the least I can do is write these thank you letters because we really do appreciate it. Like we couldn't have done it without all of the mutual aid that came to us from all over the valley. Next up, I don't know if anyone's here because they unfortunately have a meeting at the same time as we do every single, every second week. So Canyon School District, is there anyone here from Canyon School District? We'll get this to them later, but obviously in the very first moments of the fire, Canyon School District stepped up in a big way. One, they had the facilities that we used for days, so that was hugely helpful. It was actually one of their employees who broke the news to me that this fire was occurring. for all that they did as far as having the facilities open for us, also providing resources. The Canyons Foundation was raising money and collecting many, many goods for folks, so their contribution was invaluable as well. I know they're not here, but let's do a round of applause for our Canyons. I had never become so familiar with a middle school than I had at Union, except the middle school I attended. But Union Middle School was our home for about, what, five days, six days? And their facility folks were absolutely wonderful to work with. Some of the other unsung heroes, I think it was Captain Torgerson who said, or yeah, Chief Torgerson who said to recognize Salt Lake County Animal Services, so come on up here. So I've known Sergeant Cantor for a few years now, Midvale resident. You don't get extra brownie points for that. And then Officer Deacon, who I met during this whole event. And I think you two were pretty instrumental along with UFA in one of the biggest feel-good stories to come out of such a tragic circumstance, and that was Toast Malone, the cat, who survived after three days. And you guys definitely deserve a lot of recognition. It wasn't just that one event. I saw you guys coming in and out of the recovery center for days and days, bringing dog food, cat food, litter, supplies, everything. So absolutely... Yes, there was William the rabbit as well. So a lot of good stories to come out. A lot of pets reunited with owners that certainly was a heartwarming scene among what was definitely a tragic situation. So I wanted to give you both your own certificates and we thank you so much. I have medallions for you both. And did you want to say anything? I know everyone wants to hear about Toast Malone.

It was Toast, but it was the other residents that their other animals, the deceased cat that I returned in the same trip, thanks to Pat. It's these guys, the other team that went in and got all the other animals out. Still a missing snake, so watch out.

We pulled out 14 animals in addition to Toast Malone, but that wouldn't have been possible without everybody. We had residents getting animals out on the way out with no idea who they belonged to, and this is the most beautiful team effort I have ever seen.

Thank you both so much. Let's give them a round of applause. Picture time. Thank you. And also why the Salt Lake County Animal Services model works as well. So thank you for your efforts. Coming up, I had the paper clip these all together. So Red Cross of Utah, if you're here from Red Cross of Utah, come on up. And another Midvale resident here, Leah. So one thing you don't want as mayor is having the Red Cross at your city hall for two weeks. But when they're there, obviously we're very glad that you guys were here. You guys did so much for our displaced residents.

So it was an incredible process to see all that start work the way it's designed to work. UPD still maintains a presence at the North Union apartment. We have since the apartment fire kicked off, and we'll be there until that apartment complex discontinues that. That first day, from July 31st to August 3rd, just to give you an understanding, Over 200 hours of overtime was logged that we can track from our own members. So there was a big effort going on there. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Hillcrest High School. They really stepped up and opened up their clubhouse and let us use that as a break station. They were awesome. And then I don't think many people know, but Smith's Grocery Store. The manager of that came over within hours with baskets full of goods and asked what we wanted, and then every hour we were tripping back over to Smith's to get more energy drinks, because I've never seen anybody consume energy drinks like firemen. So thank you to them for supplying that vicious habit of firemen with their energy drinks. They were an incredible resource, really generous, and we really appreciate their support. Other thing I'd like to mention is our stats in August looked very much the same. Typical 2,425 calls that officers responded on, which resulted in 808 cases. But I do want to highlight one. We did have officers respond on an ambulance back. A gentleman unfortunately passed away. He was younger than what you would typically see so it required an investigation. The patrol officer that responded made a connection with this gentleman's 11-year-old son who just lost his dad. And because his father was a Marine, this officer went out to his car and got his own boonie hat from when he served in the Marine Corps and gave it to this young man. So we want to make sure that Officer Marcus Keller is recognized for that generosity. So unless you guys have any questions for me, that's all I have for you this time.

Thank you, Chief. We appreciate those statistics from your involvement with the North Union fire. You bet. Thank you. Okay, moving on to public comments. If there's any person wishing to comment on any item not otherwise scheduled for a public hearing tonight, come right up to the microphone. State your name for the record.

Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, council members. My name is Kent Davis. I live in Cottonwood Heights with my wife, Katie, and two children, one of which is here with me. And I am one of the two nominees that you'll see on your ballot. on November for Salt Lake County District Attorney. It is a partisan position, and I'm departing from my carefully crafted remarks. I can't remember the name of the lady that was standing up with the mayor in the middle of the recognition ceremony. It shouldn't be a partisan position. And it was heartwarming to hear her say, yep, don't care and don't care. It is a partisan position, unfortunately. I don't treat it as one. Midville sits in the middle of the county. And when something happens, Midville feels it first. And I think this was actually a testament to that. You also have the family shelter. But ultimately, what I'd like to do tonight, and I actually came last session as well, but I want to listen. Why am I qualified to be the Salt Lake County District Attorney? I spent four and a half years in that office prosecuting felonies before I now work at Woodbury Corporation as in-house corporate counsel and director of cybersecurity. Before we moved here, I did indigent public defense in Pima County, Arizona. Before that, I worked for the United States Department of Justice as part of the Attorney General Honors Program. Before that, I clerked for a federal judge. And I actually left the Army after my second deployment because I wanted to be a prosecutor so badly. That is the other thing that really touched, I mean, that really stuck with me is listening to the amount of service, the spirit of service that was outpouring. That's admirable. It's frankly inspirational. And I've got just 63 days left. Nobody's counting, but man, can I. I can't wait. I share all of that not as a resume, but to make a point. This is not the first city council that I visited. It won't be the last. But I'm listening to what's going on in all of these rooms because the office that I'm seeking is a county-wide office, and its work touches each one of these rooms. And as the people who here are the most acutely aware, leadership is showing up where the work is being done and listening to the people who are doing it. And that's what I want to do tonight. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to stay the entire night. I would ordinarily stay out of respect for the work that you do. But that's what I want to continue doing regardless of whether or not I win in November. I've got some more pithy lines and, again, carefully crafted city council speech that this is actually the first time I've ever gone off speech. I will note that. Safety and fairness are not opposites, and criminal justice reform and public safety aren't opposites either. I'd like to open a direct line. I had the pleasure of meeting Chief Morris in the past. I'd like to continue that relationship, but tell me what Midvale needs from its next district attorney. I'm here. I'm listening. I'm going to take it seriously. Mayor Gettle, council members, thank you again.

Thank you, Kent. We appreciate you being here. Okay, moving on, is there anyone else who'd like to give public comment at this time? Come on up, state your name for the record.

My name's Ed Kimble. I'm a resident of Essex Court Condominiums. I've spoken to you before specifically about the project on 7001 South 9th East. I sent you all a letter and I gave it to Director Knobloch yesterday and he passed it on. I'm here to ask you don't read that letter. I communicated with Richard Clayton yesterday and today, and he was kind enough, he read my letter, and he made some explanations which clarified some stuff. Director Knobloch's been very gracious too in sitting down with us and explaining the process that goes on. So we know, I know where we are in the process, and I know the process is ongoing. So as far as that letter goes, please ignore it. But the last thing I want to tell you is we're against this project. We haven't changed our opinion of this project and the impact it's going to have on the residents of Essex Court. That's what I wanted to share tonight. Thank you.

OK. Thank you so much. And we are going to address this next after we get out of council reports. But the action item that's on the agenda today, the developer reached out to us late yesterday. And they're weighing some additional options at this time. So they have asked us to pull that agenda item today. So we will talk about it as a council, because that is a council decision.

to table something or not but we'll get to that in a few moments so but we thank you for your comment anyone come right up state your name for the record my name is david mcbride i'm the property owner just directly north uh 69 47 south 900 east um vandalin was was very gracious to meet with us yesterday and we heard about this information late last week I want to publicly state how grateful I am for the impact and input so far that seems and feels as though the City Council and Planning and Zoning have been sensitive to our concerns. That doesn't make it perfect and we understand that. I'd still like to share just a couple of perspectives. One is I acknowledge the modifications relative to height. Notwithstanding that, it still is a concern. We recognize we don't want to impact the property owner from some form of development that they want to do. My concern is that it just is too large for the space that is there. My son-in-law's an architect, had him run a shade study. If the building height at 54 feet or 52 feet on the north side, which is, you know, my building's right next to there, during winter solstice, we will have no sunshine in the parking lot up to my building. The concern I have is where some of these opportunities to share some of these concerns, it seems comes a little bit late in the process. If the ordinance is approved, it doesn't, as far as I understand, does not provide an opportunity for you to make adjustment with some of those things. Now, if that's incorrect on my part, I certainly am more than welcome to listen and to be understood, but just wanted to share my perspective. It feels and seems as an adjacent property owner the city council planning and zoning has made a great effort to get some things right. And I think a lot of those have gone that way. And I certainly want to acknowledge that, but it's not quite there yet. So I just want to share that. Thank you very much for your time. And then the second thing you're, you're honoring for the fire and police and those groups today was absolutely awesome. Thank you.

Thank you, David. Appreciate your comments. Is there anyone else who'd like to get public comment at this time? Not seeing any, we'll move on to council reports. We'll start District 1, Council Member Bonnie Billings.

Thank you, Mayor. Just, again, express our gratitude for everything that has happened and the people who've showed up in Midvale for a while. I don't know how many more times we can say it, but it needs to be said often. I also do want to acknowledge Matt and the staff here at Midvale City. I say it, too, that we've got the best staff in the anywhere, and I mean that deeply. And I also wanted to thank our Essex Court residents and the folks here today. It is so important to have resident input as we're making decisions and making changes in our communities to make sure that we can get it right and that we can move in that space. If you don't show up, we don't know what we don't know. And so I just want to make sure to recognize you, and thank you both for being here today. Thank you.

Okay, thank you, Council Member Billings. District 2, Council Member Paul Glover.

Yes, thank you, Mayor. I'd like to thank you personally, Mayor, for what we had tonight. That was great. But also thank you for what you've done and honor you that you've done a great job so you can be proud of yourself. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member. I appreciate that. We'll move to District 3, Council Member Heidi Robinson.

Thanks, Mayor. I, too, want to express my gratitude to Councilmember Billings' point. I just don't think we can say it enough. And I can't help but sit up here and think about how everything has to go right during an emergency, or it can go so wrong, right? So I just keep thinking with all the stories we're hearing with our first responders and our community and all the support systems that came in play, everything went right. We had the right first responders. We had the right community. And it just makes me very proud. So not only am I thankful for everything that you guys have done, but I'm thankful that our city was so well represented. So thanks.

Okay, thank you. District 4, Council Member Bryant-Browne.

I just want to echo what I've heard. I think it was a great thing to recognize those groups. I didn't realize half of the entities that helped. And that probably wasn't even all of them, so to speak. So many people donated food and time. It'd be impossible for us to do that. You know, just grateful for the community. You know, it's fun to see that Midvale represents a lot of the entities that come, like Red Cross and whatnot. So just a great place to be. Unfortunate for 200-plus families. Hopefully they find their way back. That's all I have, Mayor.

Okay. Thank you, Councilmember. And District 5, Councilmember Denise McElhosh.

Thank you. Same sentiment. So inspiring and amazed by all the services, how they came together. My dad was a unified battalion chief, and he just said all the recognition was well-deserved because this was amazing how it was handled, how it's being handled, and how we continue to support the community. So again, thank you, Mayor, Matt, staff, everyone, for what they've done. I do want to say, knowing how amazing our staff is, My other job, sometimes I call it my day job, unsolicited, they couldn't stop talking about Midvale, Main Street, and one of the highlights that I got to bring to them was doing a tour of Main Street with the mayor, and they were just giddy. But the reason it is is because of the staff, the vision that you've had previous council, mayor, current community, current council mayors to see the vision to have people want to come to Midvale. And I think that was even exponential when it comes to an emergency because of all the pride that we have within the community. So I wanted to say thank you, staff, for that because I get to brag about people coming to Midvale, Maine. I say it over and over, but I love giving tours of Midvale Main Street. The other thing that I want to say, Chief Morse, thank you. She helped with some residents' concerns and I appreciate her taking the time to do that. So thank you.

Okay. Thank you, Councilmember McElhosh. For my mayor's report, I know everyone's heard enough from me tonight. The one thing I do want to mention, I don't know if I'm stealing your thunder here, but we met with a library group today. So that included staff from Midvale City, again, the best staff of any city in the Valley. bar none library staff from the county and also they brought the architect group on board so we had really good conversations with them I was surprised at how far along the architecture group is they asked if they thought it would be beneficial to meet with the council and I said yes let's do that so we decided on April or no sorry not April whoo October The 20th, was that the day? So anyway, in our second meeting in October, whatever date that is, they're going to come back in a workshop and go over some of the plans for the library. When I say they're far along, there are no renderings or anything like that, but they definitely have ideas and want input from us and community members. I think Matt might talk more about that.

Have they gotten a lot from us already?

Yeah, we had a pretty productive about an hour and a half meeting today. where they're just trying to make sure that they're in capturing, is that a word? The things that we want to see and maybe make sure that we don't have the things that we don't wanna see in the library. So very happy that they're looking to our, to us and our comments and also to the public because I think we have a lot of people who are very, very adamant about using the public library system and those folks who do that every day are going to have some definite opinions on the topic and I like to learn from those who use those facilities the most. I know one of your neighbors in particular, Mr. Baxter, is very interested in what we're going to do with the library. So second meeting in October, our workshop will be discussing some of those plans. Just wanted to let you guys know that. Other than that, that'll be it for me for now. We'll move on to city manager report and the best city manager in the state, Matt Dahl.

Well, after I missed what you were just saying there while I was trying to come up with a replacement topic, when you just took my topic. Just following up on what the mayor was saying, though, I just did want to reiterate that this is really early stages. And so like today, they didn't have like a building form or anything like that. It was just sort of the square. And we were talking about like where that would be on the site. They're working on the programming portion, what will be in there. And when they come talk to you, they'll still be in that process of things. So, yeah, it's pretty early stages in that right now. The next thing, I know Millie came and talked about it at the last meeting, but just I want to reiterate, you know, that we'll be having the Midvale Fall Festival, which is the event where we'll be having the activities that weren't able to happen during the harvest days, will be occurring on October 3rd, 4 to 7.30. And we have been, and we'll be continuing to communicate out on that, but since I had the opportunity, just a reminder that that's when and what will be happening. Bingo, food trucks, bounce houses. It'll be amazing. Fireworks. Fireworks. Your excitement is palpable. I can tell that there's that. So anyway, so that'll be happening Then something that I've mentioned to the council but worth mentioning again in an open meeting too is that code enforcement has ‑‑ sorry, not code enforcement. The building official has been going and looking at buildings throughout the community and has identified in many cases some buildings where people have done fairly extensive improvements to their homes without getting a building permit. And while it is a problem not to get a permit, a lot of those improvements are not done in a way that meets code. And our concern is that in some of these cases, the improvements are being done so that a house can be sold and that then the person who buys that home will take on those problems. And so we have been red tagging a little bit more aggressive, sorry, We have been giving notice to property owners that they have to stop work. And then depending on the nature of those improvements, it's possible that they might not even be able to go in there for safety reasons until those things get improved. And so we're gonna be communicating out in the near term just to remind residents or people who are investing in the community and are gonna be buying homes in order to sell them that they need to look at our requirements for getting a building permit. I think the first place to start off is if you're gonna be doing any improvements to a building, you need a building permit. There's nuance within that, but I think that's the safe assumption to start off with. And that way, taking the little bit of time in order to get a permit in, get the inspection, is gonna save you a lot more time than if we have to shut down a project mid-project or indicate that a house is unsafe to access for safety reasons. And so, unsafe for safety reasons. I saw it, Denise, I saw you make the face. But you get the drift. So, we'll be communicating on that, and I think to the extent that you as council are able to talk with folks that you know are gonna be starting projects and reminding them that they probably need to get a building permit will be helpful. So.

Matt?

Yep. I'm just curious from a, maybe this is more of a Garrett question, but Let's say we don't catch that, so to speak, and then someone buys a home. There's a new homeowner, moved to Midvale, and somehow the city does find out or catches it, for lack of a better term. Do we lean the property on the new owner? That would really be awful, in my opinion. I want to make sure we have a mechanism to not, this is a technical term, screw over the new buyer simply because they might not be aware that the seller did something. Even if it's unsafe, do we work with them? I want to make sure. I agree being aggressive up front, but I don't want to be aggressive to a buyer that unknowingly purchased something.

The intent that we've been having and where we've been working on this is trying to catch the work while it's happening.

Yeah, not even to stop.

Yeah, but we have had examples of where we have found situations that were unsafe and have worked with the property owners. I can't right now think of one where we... caught a project that was done by someone else and then...

Okay, that was more my...

But we'll look into that a little bit more and provide a little bit more detail when we figure that out. I mean, one of the difficulties, though, is who did the work, right? So if we come across a property, we don't know if the current occupant was the one who did it because they didn't get the permit. But we've seen things like...

There's just so much flipping going on, it seems like, in our neighborhoods lately that they turn so quickly that I could see almost it's selling before you even get in there.

And if it's happened recently, it's noted on your appraisal report. And the appraisal will call out that it was not permitted.

Yeah, if the appraiser is a good appraiser.

We have seen some things that have snuck through that have been really unfortunate for the person who buys the home and cost them money that they didn't anticipate. And so that is, while we are out looking across the city and we're addressing issues as we see them and not specifically looking for anything in particular, we do want to catch it

before the property is sold. Yeah, I get that. And we have to do what's right. I just think being punitive towards the builder person makes sense, and then being very gracious towards an unknowing person to try to help them Again, we still want the property to be safe, right? So it's not like turn a blind eye, but, you know.

And again, as we're talking about some of these too, like there's minor things up to, you know, an extension that's supported by like one, two by four, you know, that's five feet long or whatever. And we've seen a lot of different things.

Yeah, creative. Yeah. I'm sure.

Yeah. But a point well taken. And then with that, I'm going to actually wrap with Kate Andrus is going to come up and discuss some of the businesses that we've had open up in Midvale. We've had a lot of activity on Main Street, but also throughout the city. And Kate was gracious enough to come and give a little bit of an update on some of those openings.

Yes, yes. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Council, for allowing me to come up here to give you guys a hopefully fun and quick update. I'll just do a quick update on Main Street. I feel like it's kind of been a minute since I've done one of those. So we have had a few, since I last provided one, a few businesses open. Big Tortas, they actually had their ribbon cutting today. Mayor did a fantastic job at that. And then... Cal's Clay and Crafts, they've opened. Needle Point Shop has opened as well. Blacksmith Ice Cream is now open. And then we have two upcoming businesses that you guys have heard a lot about, Honeysuckle. Their ribbon cutting will be September 19th. And then Greek Streak, we don't have a ribbon cutting set for that yet, but we'll let you guys know when that is once we have that scheduled. I also wanted to do a quick shout out to Moira. She has been doing a lot of work on our Main Street Business Alliance. When I was first taking part of it, sometimes it was hard to get five different businesses there. At this point, we regularly have 20 active businesses from Main Street participating. She organizes and puts together one monthly meeting, and then they actually asked if she could help do some quarterly trainings. And so they've had one training where somebody came in and talked about HR. Next week, they'll have two trainings on marketing, one on social media marketing and then one on emails. And then in the future, she's looking at setting up one to go over different loans available, including SBA loans and things like that. And then just a quick shout out for the upcoming events. Grill Fest, that'll be taking place on Main Street September 12th. And then we have the car show on September 26th. And then Trick or Treat on Main Street will be October 24th, and then Light Up Maine will be December 12th. Exciting stuff. And then looking wider to the city, we've had a lot of new businesses come through. Many of them have had ribbon cuttings. One... I'll just kind of name a few, I guess. Limit Break Loot, which is a trading collectible card business.

It's a Pokemon and Magic the Gathering place, and I've never felt more at home when I did their ribbon cutting.

And then Loyally Nordic Spa, that's in Fort Union. Grady's Food Establishment in Bingham Junction. Beans and Brews has opened up on State Street. Puerto Vallarta, a Mexican restaurant, moved in in the old Buca de Pepo building. And then Millie's Subs and Soda, that one is on 900 East. And then up and coming businesses, we'll actually have one that We're presenting as alone tonight for Main Street. And then we have First Watch Breakfast in Fort Union, Yi Sushi on State Street, and then Utah Hockey Lab on Catalpa Street. And then for all you dog lovers, All About Dog Grooming is coming. Gary's Tacos is also coming. So lots of fun stuff happening, and hopefully we continue to see this type of momentum continue in the city.

Tis the season of ribbon cuttings.

Yes. Great. Any questions? No? Okay.

I do have one negative story about Main Street that I do wanna share, which was last Friday, I took my daughter at 9.45 to go get ice cream at Blacksmith Ice Cream. The street around it had nothing but smiling people with cups of ice cream. The line went through the business, out the door, and then down the street a little bit. And everyone there seemed happy, and there was a lot of positive energy. but we couldn't wait long enough to get that ice cream. And so the negative thing is my daughter did not smile because there was so much activity on the street that she could not get her ice cream. No, I, I, I, I joke, but I do just want to say that the purpose of that story is just, it is amazing the transition that we've seen. I know we've kind of talked about that before, but having so much positive activity on a weekend night, anytime, but you know, seeing him at nine 45, um, and it's families and couples and, um, Anyways, it's phenomenal. So I appreciate the work that staff has done in order to get us into this position, and I'm sure Lily will get some ice cream sometime in the future.

Matt, and I want to say the businesses are great for that, but if we didn't have that lighting, people would not feel comfortable. So the things we've done to help support, I think, has helped. I do think, and maybe you guys are already thinking about this, but we need to provide seating. Outside. Because people are seeing so, if you drive, I drive it every day, and people are just wandering, trying to find seats.

On your way home, drive by, because we did just add seating outside of Blacksburg. Okay, great. Brand new.

And at 2.30, there's not a line, Matt.

Is that a good time?

Yeah. But if you come at night, then you can see the lights, and they're pink right now, thanks to the mayor. That's right.

They're pink for Dolly Parton. But I think we stopped that now, right? Back to normal colors. That concludes my report. Thank you. Thank you, City Manager. Thank you, Kate, for all the work that you guys do. Definitely, you know, again, best staff in the city. So thank you. We will move along. If it's okay with the council, I'm going to ask that we move the two action items up. So if you guys are amenable to that, if someone could make a motion to move action items A and B to now, that would be great because we do have some information regarding those two action items.

Mayor, I move that we move the action items to the next part of the agenda.

Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, we're gonna move those magically to right now. So we'll proceed to action item A, consider resolution number 2026R50, authorizing the mayor to sign a development agreement with Baghumian Properties, LLC, located at 7001 South, 900 East. Here to discuss briefly maybe is Vendelin. Or I can go with our pre-planned comments. Welcome, Benjamin. Thank you, Mayor.

These two items on the agenda are coming to you because in the past, about a year ago, you saw the zone change application and decided you also wanted a development agreement as part of the zone change application. The city and the developer have worked on it, especially on the agreement that's negotiated. What happened is that the developer contacted us late yesterday and said that they would like to have more time and they asked the city to postpone the items. And so is that what you were looking for, Mayor?

Yeah, just that explanation. So the interesting thing about this is, one, we've already tabled this in the past. So I've never encountered a tabling of a tabled item. But if that's something that you guys want to do to further table both action item A and B...

I mean, I don't mind tabling it. If the developer wants more time, you know, especially if you're listing a residence or something, along those lines, I'm fine with it. You know, usually I want development to go, but if the developer is the one asking, I don't have a problem with it in general other than I don't think Garrett likes it to be open-ended, right? Meaning, like, just table it, you know, to some indefinite time, right? So is there a timeline? Or do you care? I thought in the past we sort of had to say, you know, a table, tabling, you know, for a timeline.

I think the preference is always to provide some sort of condition or date that's certain. So in this particular case, it was please table this until we have a development agreement that both the city staff and the developer believe are in line with the council and that's what tonight's item was intended to do and that was the condition. Excuse me. I honestly don't, I haven't been in communication with the developer directly and so I don't know what that, what the condition is that they're looking for or that I could identify. So if you want to do on a date or before, that might check all the boxes.

If you could do on or before, we could do like the end of the year. Does that work?

I think so. Okay.

Do you want, do you want me to do this? Sure. Okay. Mayor, I move that we table resolute together here. Okay. Move that we table resolution number 20 26 dash R dash 50 and res and ordinance number 20 26 dash O dash 27. Um, until a later date up, up into, or before the end of 20 26.

Second.

Okay. We have a motion and a second and a head nod from our city attorney, so I'll consider that a good motion. Rory, will you call the yeas and nays?

Yes. Councilmember Glover? Aye. Robertson? Aye. Brown?

Yes.

McAlesh? Yes. And Billings? Yes.

Okay. Well, we tabled a tabled item, so it's re-tabled. We'll move on then to public hearings. We have two public hearings tonight. The first is to receive public comment regarding a zoning code text amendment amending Utah State Code references in Title 17 of Midvale Municipal Code. Here to discuss this is a very patient, waiting all night, Jonathan Anderson. Welcome, Jonathan.

Thanks, Mayor. So this is just a zoning code text amendment for some Utah State Code references. Last November, kind of out of the blue, the state legislature decided they wanted to renumber. It's the Municipal Land Use Development and Management Act. We call it LUDMA. That's our acronym that we call it as we do everything else in government. which is what you know regulates us as a municipality so this is essentially fixing that while we were opening it up to fixing all those references we just went through and fixed any others in title 17 that were either outdated or old or you know just to make sure we're current with what the state code has and i've identified all those in the staff report It meets three of the four criteria for zoning code text amendment. You know, we're making sure we're in compliance with the state code, amending the language to, you know, clearly interpret what it's supposed to mean and have the correct citations. And I've got a motion for you. Okay.

Any questions? Jonathan, any questions from council? So before we do the motion, this is a public hearing. Is there a motion from council to open the public hearing to public comment?

Mary, motion we open public hearing. Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. Rory, we call these and these? Or is that voice vote? We'll do a voice vote on that one. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Okay, we are able to take public comment at this time. If there's anyone who'd like to comment on this, now's the time to do it. If you understood it, please come up and explain all of it to us. No, thank you, Jonathan, for the explanation. Seeing no one, is there a motion to close public comment?

My motion, we close public hearing. Second.

Okay, we have a motion on second. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, the motion is on the board for council to consider.

Mayor, I move that we approve Ordinance Number 2026-0-26, amending Utah State Code references in Title 17 of the Midvale Municipal Code as provided in the attachment with the finding noted in the staff report. Second.

OK, we have a motion and a second. Rory, this time, will you call the ayes and aes?

Yes. Council Member Robinson? Aye. Brown?

Yes.

Michelache? Yes. Billings? Yes. And Glover? Aye.

OK, that passes unanimously. We'll move on to the second public hearing tonight. received public comment regarding proposed amendments to the Midvale City fiscal year 2027 fee schedule and utility rates. Here to discuss this, Mariah, and we are what, one month into the new fiscal year?

Yes, so there's an interesting thing that we brought our building department in-house, and so having a building official in-house means that we're learning new stuff. Will you just scroll down to where there's red? So these are the three fees that we're adding. So essentially Riley's finding that in some rare cases he goes out to do a re-inspection after having offered corrections that are needed to be made. And they're calling for an inspection before they've made those corrections and they know that. And so he's requested that we add a $65 fee for that. And then just after hours inspection fee, which is the cost of two hours of inspection if it's outside of normal business hours, and an expired permit reinstatement fee. And an expired permit is an administrative timeline. But that's all, we're just adding those three fees for Riley.

How often do we have the after hours?

I don't think we've had it yet, but it's just a... Now we're making an option? Yeah, I think he's kind of, from his previous experience, saying this could happen, and if we don't have it in the fee schedule, he can't charge it.

Okay, that's good, because I was worried he was doing a bunch of after hours. No, I don't think so. It's just an in-case.

Yep, just an in-case thing. Okay. Yep. The only one he's experienced in is the unready re-inspection fee. Yep. And that's all.

Okay, any other questions for Mariah? This is also a public hearing. Is there a motion to open the public hearing to public comment?

May I motion we open public hearing? Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor say yes. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, if there's anyone who'd like to give public comment on this item, please do so now. Not seeing any movement. Is there a motion to close the public hearing?

May I motion we close public hearing? Second. Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor of closing the public hearing say yes.

Yes.

Any opposed? Okay, this is an action item. The motion, I should say, is in your packet for your consideration.

May I move that we adopt ordinance 2026-0-28, amending the fiscal year 2027 Midvale City municipal fee schedule and utility rates.

Second. Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Rory, will you call the yeas and nays?

Yes. Council Member Brown?

Yes.

McElhosh? Yes. Billings? Yes. Clever? Aye. Robinson? Aye.

Okay, that passes unanimously. Now Riley can go out any hour of the day or night to do inspections. So thank you. We'll move along to the consent agenda. There's one item to consider the minutes of August 18, 2026. Is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

Mayor, I motion we approve the consent agenda. Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. Rory, again, would you call the A's and A's?

Yes. Council Member Robinson. Aye. Brown.

Yes.

McElhosh. Yes. Billings. Yes. Ann Glover.

Aye. Okay, that passes unanimously, as it so often does. We'll move on. We have two discussion items tonight. The first, Discuss Proposed Amendments to the Midvale City Policies and Procedures Manual. Here to discuss this are HR Director, City Recorder Rory. whose name has not been updated, last name on here.

No, not yet, not yet. Okay, so we have some amendments for the Policies and Procedures Manual. Again, the purpose and overview of the Policies and Procedures Manual is to give clarifications, new employee programs, risk management enhancements, and we have some administrative updates. The first one is on page 23. I actually gave you the page number so you can find them just in case. This is comp time that is earned by an individual. And before they are allowed to move to another position that's not within a career ladder for that position, we want them to use the comp time that they have earned because they've earned it at that salary. And if we don't have them use it at that salary, they're going to be using it at a lot different salary. Could be higher. I would imagine higher. rather than lower, but it is at a different salary. Whoa, I really thought I took that off. So we want to make sure that they use up their comp time and that it must be used or paid for before they move to the new position. And that ensures consistent administration. The next one, this has a timer on it, and I really thought I took it off, so if I didn't, I'm going to be really disappointed. This one is kind of the bigger policy that we put together. It's the remote work policy. The city allows employees to work remotely when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the city. not just the employee but of the city. Remote work is not an employee benefit, it's not an entitlement or a condition of employment. The eligibility standards include if all the essential job functions of the position described in the job description can be completed without the need to be at a city facility or a specified job site. No position is completely remote and they must be in good standing with the city so not just everybody gets to work remote. The exceptions are a specific project illness. Of course, we don't want them here if they're sick because it spreads. Inclement weathers, personal emergency, city emergency. There is no out-of-state remote work allowed. The approval process and accountability includes the department director has to provide written approval, prior written approval. It may be revoked or altered for any reason. It is limited approval, no longer than 12 months at a time. So we're watching this to make sure that we have all the services covered at City Hall. The equipment is on a checkout and in return form They have to make sure that they're with IT, that we know what they have, and that that is returned upon when they quit working from home. The prohibitions are in-person job responsibilities. So we need to make sure that if they need to be here in person, that they are here. Service levels, meetings, and training. So if there's a meeting or a training they need to be to, they need to be here. It is not used for a substitute for child care. elder care or dependent care. It's 10 hours a week, no more than 10 hours a week. And vacation, destination, not a great idea, but it is permissible with prior written approval, depending on the circumstances that would have to go through the city manager. And there could be a automatic revocation if they no longer meet the eligibility criteria. We also want to make sure that our security records and performance expectations are met. So that includes, their standards are the schedule is assigned, the work performance, to maintain their performance and productivity. We wanna make sure if they're working from home, we know that they're working. Policies and procedures, they will apply confidentiality, conduct, records, use of technology, which, by the way, we just had an AI technology training today, which was excellent, and we only allow co-pilot in City Hall, just so you all know. So phone coverage. We want to make sure that all phone calls are answered in a timely fashion. Records, of course, down my alley here. Records created, received, or maintained are subject to grandma and must be stored on city systems, not on personal devices. The confidential information is to protect personal identifiable information, preventing any access. The work environment is to maintain a safe and a free from distractions environment so that we make sure they're working. Connectivity, stable, fast internet connection required and use of VPN. Location, identify where they will be working. Overtime must be pre-approved and the auditing is mandatory. No expectation of privacy. I'm sorry, Mayor. I'm just, I'm a little short, so I can't see above your head. Thank you. That's never happened. That's funny. Revocation. If employee violates the section, they will be prohibited from any further remote work until the city manager reinstates their eligibility in writing to myself and the employee's department director. Bilingual pay differential. This is a program that we've had in place. And this actually allows employees that speak fluent Spanish or another language, and they get a pay differential, bilingual pay differential for that. And it depends on how much they use it. So the court uses it quite a bit. So they get a 4% in their qualifying positions. They get 4% on top of their salary. And we use it as a pay differential so that we can differentiate between the hourly and the differential and if it's removed for any reason. Other positions may not use it as much and so they get a 2% and that is to provide the customer service for our Spanish speaking residents. Holidays, we've run into this this year, and so we brought it up. Sometimes our holidays will land on a Friday, Saturday. And before, we've had them split, and we've decided to look at having it the same as public works. So if the holiday now falls on a Friday or Saturday, we will take the Thursday off. And so we'll be closed when Public Works is closed. So there's no confusion for the residents as to who's open, who's not open. We have had a few people that have been a little frustrated because they think Public Works is open when they're not. Because they cannot split their crew. They don't have enough people to split their crew. So we're looking at doing that, going back to the Friday, Saturday would be on a Thursday. And, of course, if it landed on a Sunday, then it would be on the Monday. And hopefully this will provide a lot more consistency with the operations and staffing. Dress code. We have found a need to address the dress code. So as you can see, the tie, I did that for your purpose because, you know, when they wear ties, they're supposed to be treats. And I have told Brandon that, but he hasn't got the clue yet. So... He did wear a tie, but no treats. I should have added treats in here. Employees are expected to maintain professional appearance for their position at work environment, and that could be those in the office and those that are out in the field. So, jeans are permitted. as general workplace attire for physical labor positions, field work, or other applicable duties. We do allow jeans, as long as they are very neat and tidy, no holes, no fraying, to still look professional. You can still wear jeans and look professional. If employees are participating in an outdoor activity or an event, they must still wear their personal protective equipment. And we went back and forth on this because the Public Works Department, they don't get to wear shorts when we have harvest days. or something like that because they have to have their personal protective equipment on. So that is something that we also want our employees to be safe. and protected and not have any workers' comp claims because of being hurt not wearing the correct clothing. So that is allowed just depending on what is going on. Shorts, athletic wear, things like that are not appropriate. If there is something going on, an event or an activity, city manager must approve shorts if they are to be worn. Driver Qualification Program. This is a program that we've put together for our employees that work with our safety program with the Utah Local Governments Trust. I'm putting it in the manual because it is something that we have to have every year. Now, the trust gives us quite a good discount on our premiums if we abide by certain things. This is one of them that we need to abide by to earn that. And that is basically just making sure our drivers have a clean driver's license, a motor vehicle record, which we look at every month. And we get a report every month from the trust. And so everyone must have a valid Utah driver's license and the appropriate license, if it's CDL or whatever they have, for the job that they are doing. And this improves our safety, reduces risk exposure. Personal use of city vehicles is prohibited. And only authorized employees and volunteers are allowed to ride in the vehicle, so no family members. Again, this is for safety reasons. An occasional overnight is allowed if, for some reason, it's impractical to get the vehicle back here to City Hall if there's an incident or something that's taken place. We've also decided to add a vehicle tracking device to city vehicles. And this is something that we've looked at. We want to make sure that we know where our vehicles are, what they're doing. and that there is no expectation of any privacy from any of the employees that we're not going to know where they're at or what they're doing. So this is something that we are adding into the manual. It also helps us with defense of claims and things like that. So no employee made it, and they cannot remove it. They can't disable it. They can't remove it. They can't tamper with it. So this is something that we are going to be moving forward with as well. There's just a few little minor amendments to it, nothing real significant, and that's it. Do we have any questions? That was quick. I know it's been a long night already.

Lots of information there. I know you have been working on this for quite some time with other staff members here. It's a lot to consider. Are there any questions from council or any concerns?

And if you do have some, it's a discussion item, we'll bring it back for approval, so if you do have some, feel free to reach out.

Okay. Okay, thank you. I think eventually, when it comes back as an action item, I'm a big proponent of remote work, so I would hate to see all of that I know there are exceptions, but it looks like the trend is to get away from allowing remote work except for certain limitations. I hope that doesn't impact, I don't even know if we're still doing it, the bad air quality days where WE HAD DETERMINED AS A COUNCIL IN THE PAST THAT THOSE WERE DAYS WHERE WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WORK FROM HOME AND TO NOT ADD EXHAUST ONTO THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS. SO MAYBE WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT WHEN IT COMES BACK UNLESS THERE'S ANY DISCUSSION FROM COUNCIL ABOUT ANY OF THESE ITEMS NOW. OKAY.

It's clearly a complicated topic and I know that you all have probably different opinions on it. Our effort to tighten up the program I think reflects where there have been instances where I don't think that we have provided the service to the community that we would expect because of it. And so while there's both some need for, and we've been improving on, some of the management around the work-from-home policy. I think the clarifying and the restrictions are intended really for the purposes of making sure that the community gets the best service that we can. So I appreciate your concerns, and I know that there are a lot of feelings across staff, but it's that service level is the thing that is the primary driver of why we've added it into the service, or into the personnel policy.

Okay. All right, no other questions, comments from council? Okay, we'll move on then to the next discussion item, and that is a general plan update. Here to discuss that is Adam, our Community Development Director. We need some walk-up music for Adam.

Welcome. I hope you're ready for 30 more slides.

Just kidding.

I actually don't have any.

Is it on a timer? No. Because if not, I'll help you.

I just wanted to let you as the council know, we are starting the process of a general plan update focused mainly on what we're calling the land use element of the general plan. The last time this was done was a decade ago. I know. It doesn't feel like 2016 was that long ago, but it's been 10 years. So I think Johnny was in kindergarten then. Like probably first grade. I was there.

He was on council. The Utah State code.

It does list requirements for what needs to be included in a general plan. And among those are a land use element, a transportation and traffic circulation element, which we addressed about a year or so ago when we did our transportation master plan update. A moderate income housing element which was done a few years ago but we have to provide updates every year to the state so that gets updated through a report system that we provide to the state each year. This year we do not have to do it because they're reworking some of that and deciding what they want us to give them. So we do not have to do that this year. A water use and preservation element which was approved last year, that was a new one. And so all of these except for the land use element had been recently updated. in the land use element updated about 10 years ago. So last fall, staff applied to Wasatch Front Regional Council, WFRC, for funding for this update, for technical assistance for the update. WFRC accepted the application and rather than giving us funding to go out and have a consultant group assist with this, they are starting a new in-house process where they are working with us and a few other cities to do these updates in-house with WFRC staff and city staff. And so we're a little bit of a guinea pig, but we're also optimistic that it could be a good thing. So there's no, we don't have any match other than staff time. And so we have had one or two just introductory meetings with WFRC. We have another one tomorrow. And so that's why I wanted to come to you tonight is just let you know we're starting this process. It is a little bit new for both us and WFRC, but again, we're optimistic that we will have a good document just as professionally done as if any consultant group were out there with us. They will follow all of our guidelines you know, guidelines as far as branding and how things look and how it needs to appear with the colors and everything. So they're well aware of that. They have provided a schedule where they have sufficient opportunity for public input. They will likely be part of the Halloween and or Christmas event or Light Up Maine to get public comment. And they will be providing periodic updates to you, whether it be in a format like this in a formal council meeting in a work session just kind of updating through there. One of the cool things I think that we're doing with this is along with an analysis of our land use and what future land use decisions should kind of be based on and go toward, We are asking WFRC to assist with kind of an analysis of economic conditions and provide us a framework or a guideline for when certain land use decisions are made, whether it's a rezone or a subdivision or some kind of development. what is a good economic strategy for us to use so that we can ensure that those land use decisions also maybe have some, we can see what a financial component of that might be looking down the road, different decisions carry different economic outcomes. And so we're asking for that analysis as well. They are going to help with that. They're also gonna bring on maybe another group to help with that on their side. but they're excited to help us produce that. So with that, we also have RDA staff involved and Moira, who is kind of over some of the economic development initiatives. And so they will be involved as we get to that process and that portion of it. Otherwise, I just wanted to ask if there's anything that you as a council feel you want included in this effort, whether you tell me now or shoot me an email, just let me know so I can make sure that I pass it on to WFRC staff as soon as possible so we can make sure that it's included. In your packets I've included a draft timeline which they anticipate the final document should be before you for final approval in about a year, which I feel is very reasonable. And then they've also provided a scope that we've worked on with them and that also outlines in a little greater detail some of the steps that we'll be going into this. With that, I'm happy to answer any general questions, or again, if you have any feedback for me to take to WFRC, I'm happy to do so.

I have some thoughts. I just know how the general plan can be used when, you know, whether it's a rezone request or whatever. So part of it, I would like to... have them help us identify and consider areas for adaptive reuse a little bit more strongly. So that doesn't, I like the idea of that a lot more than rezoning entire buildings, right? If homes and stuff can be converted to some use cases, like Honeysuckle was supposed to, I get we're sort of still going with that theory, but they kinda had to rebuild because of some foundational issues. So I'd like to see where we can push that into the, not push, I don't want to disrupt things, but I think if people realize we can support it, it could be used more. And I would just like the idea of mixed use to be kind of the spirit of a lot of the plan. Not everywhere, but I do think that's the future. My two cents is I would rather live next to a five-story with mixed use on the bottom than a three-story townhome, because you're going to have way more traffic issues with no benefit, but the community's still, I guess, not ready for that, where the five-story mixed use, you're going to get a pizza shop and a coffee shop and... dry cleaning, where you actually have a benefit. And so I think once we get to that stage, I would like those to be in there, because I do think the community will eventually see it. It's not there yet, but I think if we are projecting it, it will help.

For sure. One of the things that we've pointed out, especially early on, was that our current general plan, when it comes to making these land use decisions, it's very vague. if not just kind of missing entirely, what criteria should we be using to evaluate these changes when they come forward? The current plan has areas of opportunity, but when you dig down into it, it's just so broad that it almost doesn't have much meaning. And so I think that's great feedback.

I would also ask for the same. I think a general plan helps us support, define, and then also defend our decisions. Also helps the Planning Commission have clear direction on how we want to move forward. So I'm very excited for this. I would like to see opportunities around open space and then accessibility, right? Getting different places, not just by driving. And I think that talks about what you are, too. bike lanes, being able to get access from Main Street to trails to other places, if possible.

For sure. And we've addressed a lot of those or some of those in the transportation. And we also did a recent parks master plan. So I'm sure we can pull some of those components in.

But connecting that with the land use, I think the overlay would be really good.

And so what land use makes sense to support that type of infrastructure.

Awesome. Thank you.

Commercial opportunities, those areas that we can maybe grow our commercial. We're losing a lot of commercial to just housing, and it's like we can't keep doing that forever.

What areas should we maintain as commercial and enhance rather than?

What opportunities might we have to develop more commercial? For sure.

I agree. Any other questions, comments from council? And if so, just you know how to find me and I will pass those along.

And I will say real quick, WFRC, did you say, for those who don't know, Wasatch Front Regional Council, one of the best run organizations in the state. So working with their staff, I know their staff members, I sit on the council as a non-voting member trying to fix that. But they really love what we're doing in Midvale, the staff of WFRC. So- They're super excited for all of the things that we're doing, so I think they're going to be excited to, you know, we keep saying we're the guinea pig for this project, but I think they're also very excited to help our staff, and I know you guys have worked with them on many other projects, so I think it's going to be a really nice relationship.

And just a little shout out to them, and I've done this in their meetings as well when we've gone to accept awards or grant funding for different things, but... I'm very appreciative of what they do for Midvale and with helping us. I feel like they do appreciate things that we're trying to do. And given some of the other cities in the valley, I feel like we get a lot of attention. And I want to keep that going.

Okay. Thank you, Adam. Appreciate that. We do have a closed session tonight, but so we can get RDA staff out of here sooner, is there a motion to temporarily recess council meeting and enter into the RDA meeting? If not, we'll proceed with the closed session. So moved.

Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor of temporarily recessing and entering a redevelopment agency meeting, say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Aye. Okay, magically, we are the redevelopment agency of Midvale City. I am your board member. Let's start with a roll call. See who's here.

Yes. Board Member Brown.

Present.

McAulish. Here. Billings.

Here. Robinson.

Here. Lover.

Here. Okay. Well, Council Member Brown is here and present as well. So that is all of us. Is there anyone who would like to give public comment at this time? If so, step up to the microphone. But it looks like we lost all members of the public. Okay, we will move on then to the Consent Agenda. We have one item for tonight. To consider the minutes of August 18, 2026, is there a motion to approve the Consent Agenda?

Mary, motion we approve the Consent Agenda.

Second.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. Rory, we call the yeas and nays.

Yes, Board Member Mikulaj. Yes. Glover.

Aye.

Billings. Yes. Robinson. Aye. Imbram.

Yes. Okay, that passes unanimously. We'll move on to Action Item A. Consider resolution number 202622 RDA authorizing the chief administrative officer to execute an agreement subordinating the deed of trust held by the redevelopment agency in Midvale City for Midvale Maine partners to LLC in a favor of a deed of trust held by Zions Bank. Ooh, that was a mouthful.

I like giving the wordy title.

Yes, thank you, Kate, for that. Tell us about it. What does that mean?

Yes. Okay. Thank you, board. Yes. So just to give you background before we proceed into what all of that means, the agency entered into a loan agreement with Midvale Main Partners to LLC back in 2024. This was for the entire Vincent building. Essentially, the loan was for $250,000, a seven-year repayment term, and the funds were used to renovate the building to essentially make it ready for tenant improvements for Bambino and Cactus and Tropicals. That loan was secured by the personal guarantees as well as a deed of trust against the building itself. at that time and currently the RDA holds a first position lien on that property. Midville main partners to LLC came to us because they are seeking 1.29, or they want to get a $1.29 million commercial equity loan from Zions Bank. using that building as collateral. In order to proceed though, Zions Bank requires a first position lien status before they can fund. So they came to us asking if we would be willing to subordinate our position to theirs. And we went back and forth on this subordination agreement. And I think we're at a place where we are willing to agree to the terms. I think the most important ones are the ones that really kind of secure our funding that we have provided. So I'll jump to number three. So our subordination will only apply to the identified loan. So the Zions debt will be capped at the $1.29 million, including any renewals, extensions, or refinancing. They wouldn't be able to... do any of that. Any material changes that they make to that loan, they would have to get our written consent. We would have to provide default notices to both parties and each of us will have the right to cure a default. In addition, the two Midvale Main Street facade easements that we have on the property are expressly excluded from the agreement and will remain in full force. The reason why we feel comfortable moving forward with this is that, according to the Salt Lake County Assessor's website, the property value of that building has been assessed at $2.1 million. This much equity?

This much equity.

I mean, he owns a lot of other property here that either he's just built or he's currently renovating.

Okay.

I will be presenting on her behalf. So the first discussion I'm bringing is a proposed lease agreement with Craft Lake City relating to having curated workshops in the art house. So we've kind of been looking at different ways in which we can program.

I feel like this is a really quick turn time for these normally.