Public Hearing / Regular Meeting

Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 Regular Meeting Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 Location: Fairfield Town Office, 103 East Main Street, Fairfield, Utah Time: 7:01 P.M. Minutes By: Stephanie Shelley Call to Order 1)​ Roll Call Town Council Members Present: Mayor Hollie McKinney, RL Panek, Richard Cameron, Michael Weber, and Tyler Thomas (via Zoom ) arrived in person at 8:01 pm Staff Present: Stephanie Shelley- Recorder, Todd Sheeran- Attorney, Codi Butterfield - Treasurer Others Present: Tal Adair, Clauda Saldana (MAG), Jessica Delora (MAG), Amy Taylor, Wayne Taylor, Kelton Butterfield, Neil Schwendiman (North Pointe SW), Alina Pringle, Mark Pringle, Scot Hazard (Eagle Mountain), Colby Webb (Eagle Mountain), Cherie Anderson (IRL), Matthew Kolm (Eagle Mountain), Ronnie & Colleen Wilson, Kate Hooley, Tess Hooley, Vern Carson, Jayson Densley, Heidi Densley, Mike Burch, Frances Burch, Julie Clover. Others Present Via Zoom: claudiasaldana, mckays, Brenda Tanner, Chans, Jim, iPad, Neal Fraser (JUB), Brian Carver (JUB), Rob, Dagan’s iPhone, 2)​ Prayer / Pledge Of Allegiance Councilman Cameron offered the prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited. Public Hearing: The Council will accept public comments, limited to two minutes per person 1)​ Staff report and discussion on Resolution #R2025-07. A Resolution Adopting The Fairfield Town Budget For Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Codi presented the staff report on Resolution #R2025-07, stating that nothing had significantly changed since the last discussion. She suggested adding a line item for LB Miller in the water operating expenses, proposing the title of "water operator" or "maintenance laborer." The council discussed appropriate titles, with Tyler suggesting "water operator" as the official state title. Codi recommended moving $3,000 from line item 6131 to 6111 for employee wages. 2)​ Public comment for resolution #R2025-07 ​ No one present had any comments on Resolution #R2025-07. 3)​ Approve the #R2025-07. A Resolution Adopting The Fairfield Town Budget For Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Councilman Weber made a motion to approve #R2025-07. A Resolution Adopting The Fairfield Town Budget For Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Councillman Panek seconded the motion. 1 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 Mayor McKinney - Yes Councilman Thomas - Yes Councilman Panek - Yes Councilman Cameron - Yes Councilman Weber - Yes The motion passed unanimously. 4)​ Discuss the Vacation of the road located on the Christenson property. (This address was noticed incorrectly, so it will not be passed until July). Mayor McKinney explained that the vacation of the road located on the Christenson Property was not properly noticed and would be tabled until the following month. The road in question is situated north of 75 North and south of approximately 200 North. The mayor opened the floor for public comment, but no one commented. 5)​ Public comment on vacation of the road No one present had any comments Reports and discussions 1)​ Sheriff’s Department Update. Sgt Dustson reported on incidents for the month of May, including one animal injury, a medical situation, suspicious activity, traffic stops, and crowd control measures. They also clarified a recent incident involving gunfire, which occurred south of Fairfield and not within the town limits, as incorrectly reported by KSL.​ ​ Fairfield - CAD Stats - May 2025 Officer Public Generated Generated CITIZEN ANIMAL CONTACT 1 INJURED 1 EXTRA PATROL 5 DIABETIC 1 TRAFFIC STOP 10 INFORMATION 1 Grand Total 16 SUSPICIOUS 1 VIN INSPECTION 1 Grand Total 5 2)​ Planning Commission Update. Commissioner Wayne Taylor provided a formal report on the Planning Commission’s recent activities. Public input included expressions of appreciation from airport representatives, as well as concerns regarding the proposed general plan maps, specifically, road placements that could impact public safety near the runway. Additional comments questioned the fire code in use, suggesting the adoption of the state fire code instead of the international version. 2 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 The Commission approved a site plan for Mike Fraughton’s residence, addressing and resolving questions related to road width adjustments. Definitions from Title 10, Chapter 16 (Special Use Regulations) were approved by the Planning Commission for advancement to the Town Council, with a public hearing to be scheduled to consider relocating these definitions into Title 12. Proposed amendments to the general plan were reviewed and moved forward. Commissioner Strong formally submitted her resignation and will continue to serve until a replacement is appointed. 3)​ Discussion with Avenue consultants Kevin from Avenue Consultants presented an update on the Interagency Action Plan for sustainable growth in Utah County. He explained the project's purpose, goals, and objectives, focusing on regional priorities for Cedar Fort, Fairfield, Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs and UDOT. Kevin outlined the project schedule and discussed the types of misalignments they are addressing in their analysis. He provided an example of active transportation planning, highlighting internal, external, and process misalignments. The presentation emphasized the importance of coordinating with neighboring cities and aligning planning timelines for more effective regional development. 4)​ Claudia Saldana and Jessica DeLora CDBG - Utah County Claudia Saldana and Jessica DeLora from CDBG Utah County presented information about the Community Development Block Grant program. They explained the funding sources, eligibility criteria, and potential projects that could be funded. The council discussed the benefits of participating in the program and agreed to add a resolution for participation to the next month's agenda. 5)​ Discuss Enbridge Gas coming into Fairfield Mayor McKinney reported on the open house held by Enbridge Gas. The company offered to bring natural gas to Fairfield at no cost if enough residents showed interest. The mayor encouraged residents to fill out interest forms, emphasizing that it was not a commitment but would help gauge community interest. Council members discussed the potential benefits and costs associated with connecting to natural gas. 6)​ Discussion on speed control in town, dips, humps or rumble strips. ​ Councilman Panek initiated a discussion on speed control measures in town. He expressed concerns about increased traffic and speeding, particularly near the park area. The council discussed various options including speed bumps, speed humps, rumble strips, and table-top style speed control measures. They also considered the possibility of planting trees along the roads to naturally slow traffic. The council debated the pros and cons of each option, considering factors such as cost, effectiveness, and impact on residents and emergency vehicles. They agreed to further investigate removable speed humps and to potentially implement a test installation. 7)​ JUB Engineering- Airpark overlay discussion. ​ Brian Carver and Neil Fraser from JUB Engineering presented detailed information on the 3 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 proposed airpark overlay zone for Fairfield Town. They explained the current overlay requirements, which extend 5000 feet in all directions from the centerline of the runway. This includes a conical airspace that allows structures further from the runway to be built higher, but within certain height restrictions to ensure safety for both the structures and aircraft. Neil Fraser provided additional technical details, explaining that the height restrictions are primarily designed to protect both the structures within the overlay zone and the aircraft using the airstrip by ensuring clear and safe airspace. The presentation highlighted the differences between privately owned and publicly used airstrips, noting that Fairfield Town does not have the same regulatory powers over the West Desert Airpark as it would if the airstrip were publicly owned. This has created complexities in applying state and federal regulations, especially concerning safety zones and permissible land uses within these overlays. Residents and council members expressed concerns during the discussion. There was significant apprehension about how the overlay might limit property rights and future development opportunities for landowners within the zone. Questions were also raised about the clarity and legality of imposing such restrictions, particularly given their impact on surrounding private properties and existing land uses, such as nearby landfills. Additionally, the conversation included queries on whether the overlay could be minimized or altered to better suit the town's needs without compromising safety. The possibility of limiting the size and type of aircraft to reduce the overlay's impact was also discussed. The council recognized the need for a comprehensive review of the overlay's terms and implications before making any decisions. This discussion highlighted the community's stance on the airpark and the need for further conversations to find a balanced and legally sound path forward. The council agreed to further investigate the overlay and its broader implications while ensuring residents' property rights and safety remain a top priority. General Public Comment (2-minute limit per person): During the General Public Comment section, several residents and stakeholders expressed a range of concerns and opinions, with a particular focus on the contentious topic of the airpark overlay and its implications. There was a strong turnout from community members, reflecting widespread interest and concern about the potential impact of the overlay on their property rights and town development. Mike Burch questioned the current authority of the Town Council, referencing past developments such as the airport and government infrastructure that, according to him, were built without town council input or permitting. He asked what authority the council has now to revisit or alter those decisions. In response, Mayor McKinney stated she does not believe the town has legal authority to make such changes. She emphasized her view that the developments in question involve a 4 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 private entity and that the municipality cannot impose an easement on private property for private use. Heidi Densley expressed surprise that the Town Council was initially reluctant to consider the matter, though she acknowledged they may now feel compelled to act. She highlighted past issues where certain public or appointed officials allegedly pursued personal agendas without proper oversight, leading to problematic outcomes. She emphasized that the council now has an opportunity to take meaningful action and cautioned that any decisions made could later serve as legal precedent, even if the underlying claims currently lack legal standing. Heidi stressed that the town’s legal counsel had made it clear that the council has the authority and responsibility to act in the best interests of residents. She underscored the overwhelming public support for regulating the airport, highlighting how many signed the petition demanding that the Town Council impose much more stringent regulations than currently exist, particularly in regard to privacy, noise, and health concerns. When asked, Councilman Thomas confirmed that nearly everyone in the community supported greater regulation, though he did not recall exact figures of who signed the petition. She argued that the scale of public demand was undeniable, with the vast majority favoring regulation and only a small fraction advocating in favor of the airport’s private interests, which she characterized as questionable and potentially unlawful. Heidi insisted that the council has no real choice but to side with the public, warning that failure to act could lead to legal consequences and public harm. In closing, she framed the situation as an unconstitutional land taking that violates state and federal protections. Drawing a personal parallel, she reminded the council of past instances where they themselves defended private property rights and urged them to do the same now on behalf of the community. She warned that any attempt to justify this action in court would likely fail. Casey Morris said Heidi had already said everything they wanted to express. Wayne Taylor acknowledged that he made a mistake in April 2022 by expressing trust in the airport owners at a public hearing, a stance he has since reversed. He criticized the operation as overreaching and misleading, stating that while they claimed to support small aircraft use, specifically referencing 4-seat Cessnas, they failed to clarify that "small" under FAA rules includes jets weighing up to 12,500 pounds. He emphasized that jets within that weight limit, like a 10,000-pound jet, are legal. Taylor concluded by urging the town to work together while noting there are some people he personally would choose not to do business with, referring to the airport operators. Ronnie Wilson stated he was already opposed to the airport before attending the meeting and remains firmly against it. He argued that no individual, family, or business should impose such burdensome restrictions on the community for personal gain. He emphasized the airport offers no benefit to residents—it’s not a service-oriented business—and only serves one family. He questioned whether major stakeholders like the church fully understand the implications and 5 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 urged the town to use every legal means necessary, including going to court, to stop the airport, which he believes brings only problems to the community. Mike Burch asked Don’t we need to amend the land use ordinance for the airport and possibly all related town ordinances to define the building envelope? That would be a significant expense for the town, and I agree with Ronnie on this point. Vern Carson stated that he believed the airport represents a taking of private property and rights. He noted that what was originally proposed years ago is entirely different from the current situation. He argued that anything beyond the property’s boundary should require purchase or legal action, comparing it to him moving his farm onto their land, something he clearly sees as equally unacceptable. Mark Pringle defended the airport, stating they are not taking anyone’s property and have remained consistent with their original proposals. He noted that while the town's building height ordinance was originally 35 feet, the council approved increasing it to 50 feet next to their property. He emphasized that most aircraft using the airport are small, two-seat planes and expressed a desire to be good neighbors. Pringle encouraged open communication, highlighting their efforts to hire local residents, offer flights to community members, and implement noise mitigation measures. He acknowledged concerns about traffic but framed aviation as part of the necessary infrastructure. He urged the town and residents to collaborate, not oppose one another, and reiterated their long-standing presence since 2002 with an open-door policy. Joel McKinney gave Heidi there two minutes. Heidi Densley criticized the credibility of the airport representatives, stating their word has lost value due to conflicting statements and documents. She shared that many residents have privately asked her to speak on their behalf out of fear of retaliation, specifically mentioning concerns about Alina visiting their homes. Heidi emphasized that this fear is a serious problem and called on the town to take a stand, insisting the airport must be regulated. Amy Taylor, a longtime resident, expressed frustration over the disruption caused by aircraft noise, stating it has disturbed the peace and quiet she once enjoyed both inside and outside her home. She criticized what she sees as manipulative efforts by airport representatives to gain community support, emphasizing that recreation shouldn’t come at the cost of residents’ well-being. She objected to the idea that the airport's $2.4 million in funding should influence the town’s decisions, stressing that residents never had a say in it. Taylor also raised concerns about potential legal risks to the town if other businesses are later restricted due to the precedent set by allowing the airport to expand. She opposed granting special allowances to one business for its benefit, primarily when it affects the property rights of others. Finally, she pointed out the inconsistency in how the airport is labeled, sometimes as public and sometimes as private, depending on what suits its interests, calling for accountability and fairness. 6 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 Jayson Densley, a former council member, reflected on past decisions made without a full understanding of their implications, stating that if an ordinance or overlay was passed under such conditions, it could be legally void. He strongly opposed taking from one property owner to benefit another, calling it unjust and harmful. Densley warned that allowing one individual or business special privileges sets a precedent that could lead to legal and financial consequences for the town if others are later denied similar treatment. He emphasized the importance of fairness and expressed concern that his own building project is already close to the airport's proposed restrictions. He concluded by noting that 40 feet is not a significant building height, pushing back on imposed limits. Brenda Tanner, speaking online, emphasized that poor communication has contributed to the current conflict over the airport. She noted that much of the dialogue has happened privately, one-on-one, rather than in public forums, leading to confusion and misunderstandings. Tanner urged the town to ensure consistent and transparent communication moving forward, so that all residents receive the same information. She also expressed agreement with most of the concerns previously raised. Tal Adair, representing the incoming Fairfield Industrial Park development, expressed a desire to be a good neighbor and build a strong community. He emphasized the importance of respecting individual property rights, including his own and those of the airport. While acknowledging the airport’s legal rights, he expressed concern about how its operations might impact nearby properties, such as his own. Adair urged the council to carefully distinguish between enforceable laws and non-binding guidelines when making land use decisions, noting that conflicting rules from different agencies can cause confusion. He encouraged the council to rely on its authority as the land use body and to make thoughtful, informed decisions, acknowledging the difficulty of their position and thanking them for their efforts. Alina Pringle stated that from the beginning, they worked collaboratively with the town and council, requesting a residential airport rather than imposing one. She said the town required them to build to FAA standards and that all processes, including overlays, were mandated by the state for public-use runways. She thanked the commission for researching and distinguishing between laws and guidelines, and for thoroughly understanding the matter before voting. Pringle emphasized that their development actions were based on past assurances from town leadership and suggested that better early communication could have saved significant time and money. Neil Schwendiman (North Pointe Landfill) raised concerns about whether his property falls within the proposed airport overlay zone, especially given the nearby landfill. He highlighted potential safety issues related to wildlife, specifically birds and dust, noting recent flocks of seagulls in the area. His primary concern was liability—questioning who would be held responsible in the event of a bird strike: the town, North Point, the pilot, or himself. He emphasized that while he tries to manage dust and deter birds, some factors are beyond his control. 7 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 Mathew Kolm, owner and flight instructor at West Weather Flight and president of the West Desert Aviators, shared efforts made to reduce aircraft noise and improve community relations. He explained that a complaint form is available on their website, and all submissions are reviewed. In response to specific complaints, he personally worked with a new pilot to teach quieter flying techniques and contacted other pilots, such as one from Spanish Fork, to adjust flight patterns. He emphasized that the airpark is a part of the Fairfield community and that they’ve hosted events for all residents, not just aviation members. Mathew expressed appreciation for Fairfield and urged an end to misinformation and name-calling, encouraging a more united and respectful community approach. Dagen McKiney sent a text to Mayor McKinney He stated that he is out of town but does not agree with the airport overlay. His property is in the runway path, and the overlay would affect him. Text sent to Mayor McKinney. Hi Holli, this is Eramie James, and I want to go on the record the I oppose the airport. Thank you Text sent to Mayor McKinney. For some reason I can’t get off mute, I believe the air park has property rights just like anyone else’ my problem is when their rights infringe on my rights as a property owner. Also generally speaking living next to an airport lowers property values, no one wants to live next to an airport unless they advertise as a fly in community which as far as I know Fairfield never has or wants to be known as. There were emails sent in for Public Comment; they are attached at the end of the minutes. Brian Carver’s opinion is that Utah law strongly favors publicly owned and operated airports, granting them broad regulatory authority through police powers. However, the West Desert Air Park, being privately owned, does not have those powers. Brian acknowledged the complexity and confusion in how the definitions apply to the West Desert Airpark. Wayne Taylor stated that you fill out a form called something like Form 7084— 1. He might have the number wrong, perhaps 7084½ or something similar. They sent it to the FAA. We obtained the FAA documents and, through a GRAMA request, but the FAA did not conduct any safety checks before allowing this to become public use. After that happened, Utah Aviation turned around and stated that it was public use, and it gave them $2.5 million. As far as I know, they didn’t do any safety checks under AC 150, which is what the FAA would want you to follow if you’re doing planning and zoning. It’s not code, but it could be if we adopted it. It even says the number two critter that airplanes hit is seagulls. And in Circular 130, I don’t recall exactly where it states that a landfill should be at least six miles away. Now, I get it; this is a little smaller, but it doesn’t need to be six miles. For cheese and rice, it should be over a hundred feet! 8 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 That’s just how that happened. There was no safety check, no oversight, nothing as far as he knew. 8)​ Discuss purchasing property and building a Town Hall. The council discussed the possibility of purchasing the Goodwin property for $725,000 and potentially using it for a new town hall. They debated various options, including remodeling the existing house, building a new structure, or selling part of the property. The council agreed to make a cash offer of $665,000 for the property, contingent on appraisal and inspection. They also discussed the need for a larger meeting space and the possibility of using modular buildings as a temporary solution. Consent Items The Council may approve these items without discussion or public comment and may remove an item to the Business Items for discussion and consideration. 1)​ Approval of Minutes: May 21, 2025, and June 5, 2025. 2)​ Approval of Financials: April 30, 2025, and May 31, 2025. Councilman Weber made a motion to approve the consent items, number one and two, approval of minutes for May 21, 2025, and June 5, 2025, and approval of financials for April 30, 2025, and May 31, 2025. Councilman Panek seconded the motion. Mayor McKinney - Yes Councilman Thomas - Yes Councilman Panek - Yes Councilman Cameron - Yes Councilman Weber - Yes The motion passed unanimously. Business Items 1)​ Discuss and motion to approve the new planning commissioners. ​ The council discussed the appointment of two new planning commissioners, Kelton Butterfield and Jamie Mascaro, to fill the vacancy left by Heather Strong's request to be relieved of her duties. Councilman Thomas motioned to approve Kelton Butterfield and Jamie Mascaro as new planning commissioners. Councilman Panek seconded the motion. Mayor McKinney - Yes Councilman Thomas - Yes Councilman Panek - Yes Councilman Cameron - Yes Councilman Weber - Yes The motion passed unanimously. 9 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 Ordinances 1)​ Ordinance No. 2025-12 An Ordinance Of Fairfield Town, Utah, Adopting Fairfield Town Code § 10.16 (Special Use Regulations).​ The council discussed Ordinance No. 2025-12, which adopts Fairfield Town Code § 10.16 (Special Use Regulations). Mayor McKinney explained that the ordinance addresses additional regulations for special use permits and clarifies the placement of definitions within the code. Councilman Weber made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-12, an ordinance of Fairfield Town, Utah, adopting Fairfield Town Code 10.16 (Special Use Regulations). Councilman Cameron seconded the motion. Mayor McKinney - Yes Councilman Thomas - Yes Councilman Panek - Yes Councilman Cameron - Yes Councilman Weber - Yes The motion passed unanimously. The Town Council discussed installing speed bumps to reduce speeding, especially near the State Park, where children's safety is a major concern. Councilman Panek voiced his fear of a child being hit by a car, emphasizing that no parent wants to receive such a call. The Council agreed to install tabletop-style speed bumps, which they believe are more suitable for trucks and trailers. They decided to place them on 75 North and Main Street and will look into installing two on each street for greater effectiveness. Closed Session Possible motion to enter into closed session for the purchase, exchange, or lease of property; pending or reasonably imminent litigation; the character, professional competence, or the physical or mental health of an individual; or the deployment of security personnel, devices, or systems. Councilman Cameron made a motion to temporarily recess the council meeting to go into a closed session for the following purposes: Discussion of the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. Strategy sessions to discuss collective bargaining. Strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation. Strategy sessions to discuss the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property, or to discuss a proposed development agreement, project proposal, or financing proposal related to the development of land owned by the city. Strategy sessions to discuss the sale of real property. Discussion regarding the deployment of security personnel, devices, or systems. Investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct. Considering a loan application. Councilman Panek seconded the motion. Mayor McKinney - Yes Councilman Thomas - Yes Councilman Panek - Yes Councilman Cameron - Yes 10 of 11  Approved Meeting Minutes Fairfield Town Council Regular Session Meeting June 18, 2025 Councilman Weber - Yes The motion passed unanimously. The time was 9:55 pm Adjournment Councilman Weber made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilman Panek seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m. July 16, 2025​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Stephanie Shelley Minutes Approval Date Stephanie Shelley Town Recorder 11 of 11