City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, I will start us off. So our mayor and our mayor pro tem are excused tonight. So council, we will need to start by appointing a temporary mayor pro tem, if you don't mind.

I would nominate council member Nordfeldt as mayor pro tem. Second.

Council member Wood. Yes. Council member Whetstone.

Yes.

Council member Hune.

Yes.

Council member Christensen.

Yes.

Council member Nordfeldt. Yes. Motion passes unanimously.

Thank you. I'll call to order the regular meeting of the West Valley City Council on this June 9th, 2026, here at 6.30 p.m. in the council chambers of West Valley City Hall. We excuse Mayor Ling and Council Member Harmon But the rest of us are here, Council Member Wood, Council Member Whetstone, Council Member Hune, Council Member Christensen, and I'm Council Member Nordfeldt. We are joined at the dais by our Assistant City Manager, Mr. John Flores, and our City Recorder, Nicole Kamak. Don Christensen has our opening ceremony today.

You know, as I... to the news and other events over the weekend, I realized that we had an anniversary of a day in history that many of us, possibly our parents or grandparents, might have participated in. And it reminded me that, yes, we're in a tumultuous time right now, but you don't hear about landing on Normandy Beach. You hear about an airstrike or a missile strike or a drone strike, but really the only people affected in those are the few that are where the strike hits. D-Day was a time when everyone who was involved in any way was affected. My father was unable to participate in the war. He had some rheumatic arthritis and some color blindness that kept him out of service. His brother, however, was in the Air — not the Air Force. He was in the Air Corps. was previous to the Air Force and was a meteorologist for the Air Corps. And one of his assignments was the meteorology and the weather reports for D-Day. That's a time when we all I read over the weekend the words of General Eisenhower to the troops. It wasn't like, hey, we're going to go do this. Most of us aren't going to come back. And you have to realize that everything you do will reflect on the history of our nation. And it was a time when war meant war. It didn't just mean ducking from missile attacks or drone attacks. It meant being out there and taking part. So remember that as you join me now in the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Christensen. The next item on our agenda is our minutes from our last meeting. Any changes or a motion?

Motion to approve the minutes from May 26th.

Second.

We have a motion and a second. All in favor of approving the minutes, please say aye. Aye. I heard everyone say aye, so that's unanimous. We will now accept public comment. The comment period is limited to 30 minutes. Any person wishing to comment shall limit their comments to three minutes. Upon recognition by the temporary Mayor Pro Tem, you will approach the microphone. If you did not sign up, please give your name and address. No person addressing the City Council During the comment period shall be allowed to comment more than once. Comments shall be limited to city business and matters within the purview of the city council. Speakers should not expect any debate with the mayor, city council, or city staff. The mayor, city council, or city staff may respond after the comment period has concluded. speakers shall refrain from personal attacks against fellow citizens, city staff, or members of the city council. We do have two public hearings scheduled this evening, so if you're here to speak about application Z-1-2026, that's about a zone change on Parkway Boulevard, or if you're here to talk about the budget opening, It'd be best to hold your comments until we have those public hearings. We'll begin with speaker number one, Ryan Mahoney.

Good evening, Councils. Ryan Mahoney, West Valley City resident. We're upcoming on the West Fest for West Valley City. It's always a great event, but last year it was overshadowed by the loss of innocent life. We had a a woman and her infant that died unnecessarily. I was actually at the event about an hour before that happened. I missed it by a little bit, but I wanted to bring to the attention of the council. I would really like to see a lot of boots on the ground this year. Last year, it sure seemed like it was really centralized. I'd like to see an uncentralized approach where you have a lot of overlapping visible foot patrols around the crowds and vendors and things. And then, uh, It would really be good if we could implement some kind of access control with checking for weapons. I don't know how feasible that is, given the size of the venue, but I think it would help curb that in the future. On a second note, we are in a water crisis. The governor has issued a drought mandate for the state. I'd like to have the council consider in the future. Again, I brought to you guys before about zero scaping and waterwise landscaping. Salt Lake County has made it clear with their council that they want to still see green grass lawns and not so much zero scaping and astroturf like you guys have here at the city council building. Not only do you waste a lot of water on these lawns, you have to mow them. So The same time you're burning out fuel, which adds to the air pollution, localized pollution for the valley. Lawnmowers burn roughly about the same amount as a car does when you get on the road. If you compare the size of the motor and the work it's doing compared to how much power you get out of a car. And they're not regulated. So I think it would help the city in multiple ways to kind of consider that, push that forward if you could. But that's future discussion for you guys. Thank you.

Thank you. Speaker number two, Jim Visak.

Good evening, Mayor, Art Mayor, Pro Tem, Pro Tem, and City Council. I wanted to say, one thing speaking up, things do get done. A couple weeks ago, I spoke up about the holes over by Wingstop. In Miami, this week, when I was driving by, there was a city crew there fixing it, and now the holes are fixed. People can drive in that driveway without having to be an obstacle course. It gives another police another way to ingrid into their offices. You guys keep talking about the 4100 fence project and changes and all this stuff, and I agree. Changes need to be done. But the construction area between 56 and Bangalore that the city spent, I believe it was almost a half a million dollars on those. Those are what the ordinance should stay for the standard. If the wrought iron fences broke out, it's replaced because that was a big investment. All the other area, yeah. don't have the restrictions on that. And I think that's where when the residents came in, we're talking about, they lived outside of that construction area and they had the same burden as the people in that area. I think keeping the construction area, which is from Bangalore to 56, that area where there was significant investment, keeping the wrought iron fences, the walls, there are several different, but it looks nice. and let the outside areas, whether it's whatever kind of fencing. You guys were talking about chain-link fencing. Yes, it's not the prettiest thing, but you could probably fill this place. If you guys start talking about no chain-link fencing in front yards and stuff, you're probably gonna fill this place, and they're gonna say it's a cheaper way of putting up fencing, and now you're attacking You know, people can only afford so much to fence their front yards. So I wouldn't touch that with a 10-foot pole. That's all I have. Thank you.

Speaker number three, Eduardo. I can't read the rest of it.

Good afternoon, Council. My name is Eduardo Guzman. I'm a local representative for the Carpenters Union, and I have today my group of PAC members. committee members. And I just wanted to come out here and talk about how much I really think, you know, I wish the Mayor Lank was here for connecting me to Craig Thomas. We were able to have a meeting with my hometown organization, trying to come up with ways to help out in the community. And that's basically just the gist of it. With our group, we were trying to get more involved in our community. These are members that live in West Valley, and they're just eager to find ways where they can volunteer to give back into the community. Like I said, we have more than 100 members just in this city that are willing to go out there and help out. We talked to Craig. We're coming up with dates and ways that we can collaborate. And just to let you guys know that We're trying to make some more friends in different cities, not just here in West Valley. We've been growing a lot in Lehigh City, Salt Lake City. We had a lot of history with them already. So we're just trying to expand more out into other areas that might need some help because we do certainly have the knowledge, the skills that they might have lacking right now and that they might need with the knowledge of tools working with our hands. We're great with that. So We look forward to doing that with the council. And if you guys have more ideas where we can collaborate, we're more than welcome to accept any suggestions. Thank you.

Thank you. Is there anyone else who would like to speak to the city council? Please come forward. Please give us your name and address.

Daniel McCray, 4092 South, 3670 West. I'm here for the hometown initiative that sat my aunt down with dementia and had her sign up for four generations and a hundred years of my family's work over. And she, and then we need to prove that she had problems with dementia at that time. And the paramedics stated on a police call over there that she had dementia. and had been there frequently. And there are no records of that frequently. By law, you are required, even if you make contact with a person to fill out a form for your EMS and none were filled out or that disappeared. I would, uh, I can't believe that you would let good LDS people set my aunt down when she can't even pass a cognitive test. and sign away her house with a will for a renter. And her renter in turn stole the wills from my mom and my aunt for the family. And then to get the house, she denied medical for my aunt's black toes from diabetes, and they turned gangrene, and she died of a stroke. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other comments? We will close the public comment period. Any comments from city council or staff?

I think we probably just need to point out that the police department has looked at West Fest and has made contingency plans that will increase the security this year and know that we are trying to make it as safe as possible and it is in effect right now.

Thank you. Anything else? All right. The next item on our agenda is the first public hearing. It's for a zone change for property located at 5901 West Parkway Boulevard. The purpose of this zone change is to accommodate a new sewer lift station to replace the existing facility to the south. I will now open the public hearing. Is there anyone here wishing to speak on this item? Seeing none, I will now close the public hearing and turn the time over to the council for discussion or a motion for the two action items we have for this. Ordinance 26-22, that's to amend the zoning map in Ordinance 26-59. to approve a development agreement.

I would move that we approve Ordinance 2622, amending the zoning map to show the change, a change of zone from A2, agricultural, to R110, single unit dwelling. Second.

We have a motion. Second. We will call for the vote.

Council Member Wood? Yes. Council Member Whetstone?

Yes.

Council Member Hune?

Yes.

Council Member Christensen?

Yes.

Mayor Pro Tem Nordfeld?

Yes.

Motion passes unanimously.

And then another ordinance, a resolution.

Motion to approve Resolution 26-59.

Second. Thank you. Hearing no discussion, we'll go to the roll call vote.

Council Member Christensen?

Yes.

Council Member Huynh?

Yes.

Council Member Whetstone? Yes. Council Member Wood? Yes. And Mayor Pro Tem Norvelt? Yes. Motion passes unanimously.

The next public hearing is for our fourth quarter budget opening. Budget openings are periodic adjustments to West Valley City's operating budget. Regular budget openings are necessary to maintain regular and orderly city operations and stay in compliance with state laws. I will now open the public hearing. Is there anyone wishing to speak on this matter? Come on up.

Greetings again, Council. I would just like to reiterate that the city has several properties that are city-owned that they could divest in. I don't believe the city should be in the real estate business. As much as the properties are nice in this green open area, I believe we can find investors that would like to keep it that way, bring those tax dollars back to the city and not be in the real estate business and bring those properties to the private sector. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? I will now close the public hearing and turn the time to the council for discussion or a motion on Ordinance 2623.

I'd motion to approve Ordinance 26-23.

Second.

Thank you. We have a motion and a second. Let's have the roll call vote, Ms. Kamak.

Council Member Wood? Yes. Council Member Whetstone? Yes. Council Member Huynh?

No.

Council Member Christensen?

Yes.

And Mayor Pro Tem Nordfeldt?

Yes.

Motion passes by majority.

Thank you. We have some ordinances to discuss. First item is 7A. This ordinance would... amend Chapter 5-3 of the West Valley City Municipal Code to update certain procurement requirements, including increasing the small purchase threshold from $30,000 to $70,000 and increasing the minimal purchase threshold from $5,000 to $20,000. I'll turn the time to the Council for discussion or a motion.

I'll move to approve Ordinance 26-3.

We'll have the roll call vote, please.

Council Member Christensen?

Yes.

Council Member Huynh?

Yes.

Council Member Whetstone? Yes. Council Member Wood?

Yes.

And Mayor Pro Tem Nordfeldt? Yes. Motion passes unanimously.

Our next ordinance is 26-25. This ordinance would increase fees. for child care services, kids camp, and after school camp for the family fitness center. I'll turn the time to the council for discussion or a motion.

I would move for approval of ordinance 26-25. Second. Second.

Mayor Mrakas, Thank you let's have the roll call vote, please Council member would yes Council member what stone yes Council member here yes Council member christiansen yes and mayor pro tem Northville yes motion passes unanimously.

Mayor Mrakas, You have two items on our consent consent agenda this evening, one for funding the sugarplum trail and another. to enter into an easement purchase agreement and accept a temporary construction easement. We can take these one at a time or all together. So to the council.

Motion to approve two items on the consent agenda tonight. Second. Second.

And for the roll call vote, please.

Council Member Wood. Yes. Council Member Whetstone.

Yes.

Council Member Huynh.

Yes.

Council Member Christensen.

Yes.

And Mayor Pro Tem Nordfeldt.

Yes.

Motion passes unanimously.

We have no need for a closed session tonight. So we're going to adjourn shortly, but we have two short meetings after this regular meeting. So let's start with a motion to adjourn.

Motion to adjourn.

On favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? We are adjourned for this meeting.

We'd like to call to order the RDA meeting. We've had our opening ceremony, a roll call. We are excusing two members of our agency, Ms. Lang and Member Harmon. First item of business is to approve the minutes of May 26.

Motion to approve the May 26 RDA meeting minutes.

Second. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Next, we have a public hearing. We'll accept public input regarding the reopening of the fiscal year 2025-26 budget. This item is to amend the budget of the redevelopment agency for the 2025-26 fiscal year. I'll now open the public hearing. Is there anyone wishing to speak on this matter? Seeing none, I will close the public hearing And turn the time over to the agency for discussion or a motion.

I move to approve resolution 26.06.

Second. It's been moved and seconded. Ms. Kamak?

Ms. Wood? Yes. Mr. Whetstone? Yes. Mr. Hune?

No.

Mr. Nordfeldt? Yes. And Chairman Christensen?

Yes.

Motion passes by majority.

Thank you. Next item is to accept public hearing, public input regarding the fiscal year 26-27 budget. This item would adopt the annual budget of the redevelopment agency for the 26-27 fiscal year. And I'll now open the public hearing. Is there anyone who would like to speak to this item? Seeing none, I will close the public hearing and turn the item over to the agency for discussion or a motion.

I'll move to approve resolution 26-07. 27. Second.

It's been moved and seconded. Ms. Kamak?

Ms. Wood? Yes. Mr. Whetstone? Yes. Mr. Huynh?

No.

Mr. Newark-Belt? Yes. Mr. Christensen?

Yes.

Motion passes by majority.

Thank you. We have one resolution. This resolution would allow the RDA to use its state law mandated housing set aside money to provide affordable housing and other tools to at least 12 students from West Valley City that will attend the University of Utah in the fall of 2026. I'll turn the time to the agency for discussion or a motion.

Motion to approve Resolution 26-08. Second.

Moved and seconded. Ms. Kamak?

Ms. Wood? Yes. Mr. Whetstone? Mr. Hume?

Yes.

Mr. Nordfeldt? Yes. And Chairman Christensen?

Yes.

Motion passes unanimously.

We have one more item of business.

Motion to adjourn. All in favor?

Aye.

Aye.

We are adjourned.

I call to order this meeting of the West Valley City Building Authority and note that we've had an opening ceremony and we are missing two of our members, Mayor Lang and Council Member Harmon. Our next item of business is the approval of our minutes from May 26th.

Move to approve the minutes from the May 26th meeting. Second.

We have a motion and a second. All in favor of approving those minutes, please say aye.

Aye.

That was unanimous. Those minutes are approved. We now have a public hearing. The first one is the regarding the reopening of the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget. This will amend the budget similar to the motion we had in our regular meeting. I will now open the public hearing. Is there anyone wishing to speak on this matter? I will close the public hearing. and turn the time to the authority for discussion or a motion.

Motion to approve resolution 26-03. Second.

Thank you. Ms. Kamak, the vote, please.

Ms. Wood? Yes. Mr. Whetstone? Yes. Mr. Huynh? No. Mr. Christensen? Yes. And Chairman Nordfeldt? Yes. Motion passes by majority.

Thank you. The next item is to receive public input regarding the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. So we will open the public hearing for this budget of the building authority. Is there anyone who would like to speak to us about this budget? Seeing none, I will now close the public hearing and turn the time over for discussion or motion?

Motion to approve resolution 26-04. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Ask for the vote, please.

Ms. Wood? Yes. Mr. Whetstone? Yes. Mr. Huynh?

No.

Mr. Christensen? Yes. And Chairman Nordfeldt?

Yes.

Motion passes by majority.

That concludes the business of the building authority. except for one final motion. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. We are adjourned.