City Council

FARMINGTON CITY – CITY COUNCIL MINUTES August 5, 2025 WORK SESSION Present: Mayor Brett Anderson, Recording Secretary Deanne Chaston, City Manager Brigham Mellor, Community Development Director Lyle Mayor Pro Tempore/Councilmember Alex Gibson, Leeman, City Planner/GIS Specialist Shannon Councilmember Roger Child, Hansell, Councilmember Scott Isaacson, Assistant City Manager/City Engineer Chad Councilmember Melissa Layton, Boshell, Councilmember Amy Shumway, Assistant Finance Director Levi Ball, and City Attorney Paul Roberts, City Lobbyist Eric Isom. City Recorder DeAnn Carlile, Mayor Brett Anderson called the work session to order at 6:05 p.m. GENERAL PLAN PRESENTATION City Planner/GIS Specialist Shannon Hansell said Farmington’s General Plan has not been updated since 1993. City Councilmember Roger Child was a Planning Commissioner when the plan was last updated. While the map looks completely different, the uses are the same as before. Four community open houses were held to consider the General Plan update, one for each quadrant of the City. Attendance was highest at the quadrant including the Old Farm property. This version of the General Plan is more user friendly and colorful. The Steering Committee included City Councilmembers Scott Isaacson and Alex Leeman; Planning Commissioner Frank Adams; and planning staff. Isaacson said that a General Plan can be used when Farmington would like to apply for grants, in order to prove the City has a future plan. He would like to make sure Farmington has everything in the General Plan that can help the City in securing grants. City Manager Brigham Mellor said public transit uses General Plans when they determine grants. While there have been periodic updates to Farmington’s General Plan over the years through small area plans, the City has adhered to it for the most part. Everyday, Staff uses the map included in the General Plan. Susie Petheram, senior planner with FFKR and project manager for Farmington’s General Plan update, said she could add how the General Plan serves as a guide for collaboration with other entities, which can lead to future funding opportunities. The goal is to make the plan easier to refer to, the text easier to read, and the map easier to use as a day-to-day tool. Isaacson noticed that unincorporated areas of the County were included on the map as if they were part of Farmington, and asked to have them removed. Although they may be annexed to the City in the future, it is best to leave them out at this point. Councilmember Amy Shumway said the timeline and population changes were interesting to go through. Farmington City Council, August 5, 2025 Page 1 Petheram said this is not a brand new plan, as the content was also in previous versions of the plan; it was just refined and updated. The consultant conducted a review of the plan and, along with the Steering Committee, determined which components needed updated and refined. They had 329 online participants and input from those who didn’t want high density housing, as well as those who wanted more affordable housing in the community. They had a booth with engaging activities during last year’s Festival Days to gather community feedback. The Youth City Council assisted with a formal community open house in November. Neighborhood presentations were also made in the City’s four quadrants. The Steering Committee worked on future land use designations. A public hearing was held at a July Planning Commission meeting, where no community members showed up and the Commission recommended approval. Petheram mentioned nine key themes and priorities including family friendly; community heritage and culture; context sensitive design; safety; resilient/diverse economy; supportive/successful businesses; recreation; communication; and citizen participation. The General Plan is an advisory document, and each City can decide how much it is utilized and referred to. Cities often rely heavily on the General Plan when considering rezone proposals. The three parts of the plan include: Community context and vision framework; policy guide and plan elements, or the “meatier” part of the plan used on a day-to-day basis; and land use and city form. Part 1 gives some key terms in an attempt to make them easy for all to understand. It is a framework for making decisions and identifying connections to city policies. Part 2 details how the community has changed over the years, using the Census as a source. The total population has almost tripled, as have the number of housing units. Household size, however, has decreased. This means there are more people living in Farmington, but in smaller households. The median age has increased from 21 to 31.7, and 34.9% of residents are under the age of 18. The median household income is $120,432. The history timeline spans from Native Americans, to a pioneer agricultural settlement, and now to a suburban community with a regional commuter rail and retail hub. The plan highlighted architectural elements unique to Farmington. Station Park was a great opportunity, but is not the last one, as North Station Park is coming up. There is a reason for the City to go after those opportunities. Part 3 has a policy guide, profiling differences in the four quadrants of the City. The northwest has the most people and most diversity of housing. The southwest has the newest housing, as most of it has been built since 2010. Councilmember Amy Shumway pointed out some corrections to the neighborhood descriptions, saying Eagle Bay is in the southwest and Davis Creek in the southeast; and the Rail Trail should be mentioned. The park in the northeast quadrant is Shepard Park, and it is Forbush Park in the southeast. Farmington Creek Trail is really Lagoon Trail. In the southeast quadrant, it should read the Grotto via Steed Creek, not through Hornet Canyon. She also asked for references to the Lagoon Trolley to be taken out, as it will not be continuing in the near future. Leeman asked about the Mixed Medium Residential (MMR) reference in the matrix, saying it is not associated with Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU). Adding that to the matrix will be helpful. Farmington City Council, August 5, 2025 Page 2 Mayor Anderson asked that the wetlands be taken off the map, as they are not part of the City, and Farmington has no authority over them. Changes should be made as discussed, a public hearing held today, and adoption of the General Plan be placed on a future City Council agenda. The Council prefers to have a clean version in front of them before making a final decision. REGULAR SESSION Present: Mayor Brett Anderson, City Recorder DeAnn Carlile, City Manager Brigham Mellor, Recording Secretary Deanne Chaston, Mayor Pro Tempore/Councilmember Alex Community Development Director Lyle Leeman, Gibson, Councilmember Roger Child, City Planner/GIS Specialist Shannon Councilmember Scott Isaacson, Hansell, Councilmember Melissa Layton, Assistant Finance Director Levi Ball, and Councilmember Amy Shumway, Fire Chief Shelby Willis. City Attorney Paul Roberts, CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Brett Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Mayor Anderson offered the invocation, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Alex Leeman. PRESENTATION: Introduction of Fire Captain Bobby Anderson and badge pinning ceremony Fire Chief Shelby Willis presented Bobby Anderson for a promotion to Fire Captain. In 2007, Anderson was a firefighter EMT in Marion County, Florida. In 2009, he became a fire paramedic before coming to Farmington in 2022. In 2025, he became an engineer, earning the rank of captain in August. City Recorder DeAnn Carlile swore Anderson in as a Farmington Fire Captain. Recognition of Farmington City for earning the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Deputy Finance Director Levi Ball presented this agenda item. The GFOA doesn’t set the standards, but does help interpret them. They provide feedback for what cities can do to improve, and this year Farmington was issued the fewest ever seen. Not every city gets this certification for achievement. Farmington City Council, August 5, 2025 Page 3 PUBLIC HEARING: Consider approval of amendments to the General Plan Planner/GIS Specialist Shannon Hansell presented the comprehensive General Plan update, which include the overall goals and policies for the development of Farmington. The current plan was adopted in 1993, with notable updates in 2001 and 2008. The new iteration also incorporates more recent planning efforts such as the North Station Area Plan, Trail Master Plan, and Downtown Master plan. The actual development of the City over the years has overall followed planning efforts. The effort to update the General Plan began in 2023 with consultant FFKR Architects, which lead the plan draft, community outreach, and Steering Committee comprised of two Planning Commissioners, two City Councilmembers, and Staff. Susie Petheram, senior planner with FFKR and project manager for Farmington’s General Plan update, presented the General Plan update. Farmington is a well-educated community, with 50.6% of residents over the age of 25 having a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and 98% of residents having graduated from high school. In the City, 31.7 is the median age, which is higher than in the past; 10.7% of residents are over the age of 65; and household sizes are decreasing. Commuter rail and a regional retail hub are new to Farmington since the last General Plan was updated. The City was divided into four neighborhoods using major roads such as State, Clark, Interstate 15, and Highway 89 as boundaries. Residents can use the General Plan to stay informed about what is expected to happen, and so business and property owners can understand the direction the City is going. As a tool used by Planning Staff, Planning Commissioners, and City Councilmembers, it can help guide future decisions. Mayor Anderson said the Council reviewed this during the earlier work session, proposing minor amendments. It is close to being finalized, and Councilmembers prefer viewing a final draft before adoption. This version is much more user-friendly than the previous one. Mayor Anderson opened and closed the Public Hearing at 7:32 p.m., as nobody signed up in person or electronically to address the Council on the issue. Motion: Isaacson moved that the City Council table approval of the updated Farmington General Plan, for Staff to work with the consultant to incorporate the changes proposed in the work session. Child seconded the motion. All Councilmembers voted in favor, as there was no opposing vote. Mayor Pro Tempore/Councilmember Alex Leeman X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Roger Child X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Scott Isaacson X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Melissa Layton X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Amy Shumway X Aye ____ Nay SUMMARY ACTION: Minute Motion Approving Summary Action List The Council considered the Summary Action List including: • Item 1: Approval of minutes for July 15, 2025 Farmington City Council, August 5, 2025 Page 4  • Item 2: Consider approval of the Water System Connection Agreement with The Trail subdivision and developer, The Evergreen – 1525 & Burke Land, L.L.C., to install a privately owned and maintained culinary water system Motion: Child moved to approve the Summary Action list Items 1-2 as noted in the Staff Report. Layton seconded the motion. All Council members voted in favor, as there was no opposing vote. Mayor Pro Tempore/Councilmember Alex Leeman X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Roger Child X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Scott Isaacson X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Melissa Layton X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Amy Shumway X Aye ____ Nay GOVERNING BODY REPORTS: City Manager Report Mellor said a ribbon cutting for the Western Sports Park (WSP) will be in September. He would like the City Council to tour the new park at their next Council meeting. Mayor Anderson and City Council Reports Leeman said he would like to inform the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) about the rough transition from the Park Lane bridge to the West Davis Corridor. It feels like going over a speed bump. He was surprised that it wasn’t fixed before it opened. Assistant City Manager/City Engineer Boshell suggested Leeman report it to UDOT’s Click ‘N Fix website. He said the bridge must have settled. Shumway mentioned the lack of sidewalk on 1500 West across from the Clark property by the golf course. She said it is a popular walking route. Completion of the interchange may bring increased traffic, which may make the area worthy of a future grant. She would also like Staff to look into a cost and spot to have Frisbee golf. Isaacson said he has heard Davis County will not let Craig Packer, owner of Rock Hotel Dental, use of their property for parking. He is very discouraged. Mayor Anderson noted several recent noise complaints from residents near the high school regarding 7 a.m. band practice. Mellor said it was overreaction to a one-day event meant to welcome a new band director. He said Farmington does not have a noise ordinance to his knowledge. City Attorney Paul Roberts said there are factors to consider, and the City does have some time restrictions for specific things like construction that can’t start before 6 a.m. A noise ordinance is hard to enforce because noise is subjective. Mayor Anderson noted that Station Park’s office space is 100% occupied, and its retail is 90% occupied. This is really good for the City. Farmington City Council, August 5, 2025 Page 5 ADJOURNMENT Motion: Child made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m. Shumway seconded the motion. All Council members voted in favor, as there was no opposing vote. Mayor Pro Tempore/Councilmember Alex Leeman X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Roger Child X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Scott Isaacson X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Melissa Layton X Aye ____ Nay Councilmember Amy Shumway X Aye ____ Nay ________________________________________ DeAnn Carlile, Recorder Farmington City Council, August 5, 2025 Page 6