City Council

Minutes of the Millcreek City Council November 24, 2025 5:00 p.m. Meeting The City Council of Millcreek, Utah, met in a public meeting on November 24, 2025, at City Hall, located at 1330 E. Chambers Avenue, Millcreek, UT 84106. The meeting was recorded for the City's website. PRESENT: Council Members City Staff Cheri Jackson, Mayor Mike Winder, City Manager Silvia Catten, District 1 Elyse Sullivan, City Recorder Thom DeSirant, District 2 Kurt Hansen, Facilities Director Bev Uipi, District 4 John Brems, City Attorney Rita Lund, Communications Director Jim Hardy, Building Services Director Aimee McConkie, Events Director Kayla Mayers, Promise Program Director Francis Lilly, Assistant City Manager Attendees: Chief Petty-Brown, Amber Measom (electronic), Linda Zenger, Ian Wright, Leslie Moss, Matthew Gardner, Michael Gura, Nathan Gibby, Patti Hession, Nicole Handy, Rick Hansen, Garrett Handy, Todd Zenger, Alisha Archibald, Andrei Taran, S. Hession, Darlene C. WORK MEETING - 5:00 p.m. TIME COMMENCED: 5:03 p.m. 1. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Jackson called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance. She thanked the applicants for applying. Elyse Sullivan explained the appointment process for the evening. Each candidate would introduce themselves, there would be a question and answer period, and then each candidate could provide a closing statement before the council deliberated and voted on the appointment. 2. Interviews and Consideration of Council District 3 Candidates Each of the candidates introduced themselves, then they were interviewed by the council in the following order: Amber Measom (participating electronically), Linda Zenger, Ian Wright, Leslie Moss, Matthew Gardner, Michael Gura, Nathan Gibby, Patti Hession, and Nicole Handy. Millcreek City Council Meeting Minutes 24 November 2025 Page 2 of 7 Amber Measom The council asked about housing affordability strategies and ensuring they align with established character of the neighborhood, balancing neighbor's concerns while moving forward for the long term health of the city, what changes the city should make, how to prioritize infrastructure improvements, what infrastructure priorities has she submitted to the city through her time on the community council, how she would handle professional or expert advice from staff that conflicts with her beliefs, and to provide an example of a time where she handled an unpopular decision and her role/the outcome. Amber Measom talked about executing smart and strategic growth to maintain character, collaboration with the neighbors and developers to find a resolution through understanding, more clarity on events and better communication, creating safe and efficient routes in and out of the city, safe pedestrian access to the city center, listening and trying to understand advice before making decisions, and when faced with school closures she has tried to educate herself on the issue and be open minded. Linda Zenger The council asked about three important things the city can do about the pressure of housing density and affordability, what events she has attended and any feedback for administration, a hypothetical situation in demolishing a historic home for a larger home that blocks views, how to strengthen cornrnunity oriented policing and changes with Unified Police Department, how to handle a situation with residents divided on a topic, how she handled an unpopular decision, and how to handle advice from staff that conflicts with her beliefs. Linda Zenger argued that consultation with the community was key and preserving single family neighborhoods, she attended the holiday tree lighting and would like to see live local talent (music) at that event, she hoped to protect old homes by putting them on a historic registry, she appreciated the police building relationships with the community, she would like the cornrnunity to come together in meetings to bring solutions to find a majority opinion, she relayed a time when she upset someone's feelings in a board meeting and she apologized to the person after the meeting, and she would ask questions of staff to learn more about certain topics. Ian Wright The council asked about an example when he handled an unpopular decision and his role, how to handle a hypothetical situation in demolishing a historic home for a larger home that blocks views, how to support housing affordability while preserving the character and livability of neighborhoods, asked about decisions made as a member of the Planning Commission and any unintended consequences of those decision, events he has attended outside of the commission and feedback for administration, his time commitment to the council, how to handle professional staff advice that conflicts with his opinions, how to handle a complaint against a city employee, and what the city can do better. Millcreek City Council Meeting Minutes 24 November 2025 Page 3 of 7 Ian Wright described a work related example in preserving historic lands during the government shutdown and he listened to the stakeholders and was transparent in coinmunications of action taken, if people are staying within code requirements then creative solutions can be made with the city and neighbors, steer the growth to be able to bring in a diversity of people, height in the city center and glowing signs on the building that stay on all night was unintentional, his workplace encourages community participation so he can make time for the council, in his workplace he ensured that his decisions remained impartial and not influenced by any enforcement actions taken by the organization, he would not make assumptions and work with the city manager and council about communications and help be part of the solution, and he would continue to focus on building community and keeping it vibrant. Leslie Moss The council asked how to handle a hypothetical situation in demolishing a historic home for a larger home that blocks views, how to handle a complaint against a city employee, how to handle a situation with residents divided on a topic, to surnrnarize city events/meetings she has attended and any feedback, how to handle staff advice that conflicts with her opinions, how to balance competing viewpoints and make a decision that reflects fiscal responsibility and long teri'n community needs, and important steps to address housing affordability. Leslie Moss acknowledged property owner rights but considering neighbor's opinions, listen to the complainant and involve them in the solution and involve the supervisor of the employee, to make decisions in the city's long-term benefit, she enjoys shopping local on 3300 S and the art festival and events with food trucks, she acknowledged it was good to have conflict but also to listen and resolve it, try not to raise taxes by making small budget cuts where possible, and do not disrupt established neighborhoods and build density on corridors. Matthew Gardner The council asked about balancing growth with neighborhood character, asked where housing density could be added in District 3, summarize city events/meetings he has attended and any feedback, how to handle a hypothetical situation in demolishing a historic home for a larger home that blocks views, how to handle disagreements with residents when a proposed project benefits some but is deeply unpopular with others, what the city's top infrastructure priorities should be, about time commitments in joining the council, describe a time when he handled an unpopular decision, how to handle staff advice that conflicts with his opinions, and if he understood the city's policing and if he would like to see any changes with UPD. Matthew Gardner said there is connectedness in Millcreek and criteria would be for people to be able to gather and if there is enough green space, allowing more tiny homes or accessory dwelling units and adding more transit to eliminate wasted parking lot space for redevelopment, he attended inauguration events and skating at Millcreek Common and would like to make people attending by themselves feel more coru'iected, holding community meetings with affected residents to feel heard and work with developers to minimize impacts, he would talk with both parties together and find a middle ground, more walkability infrastructure and addressing storm drain issues by planting more native plants, his profession Millcreek City Council Meeting Minutes 24 November 2025 Page 4 of 7 provided flexibility for council time commitments, when he understands a solution he can better convince others of its merit with facts, communication is key - there is always middle ground, and he appreciates the shared resources and specialized units with UPD. Michael Gura The council asked about initiatives to address affordable senior housing, how he handled an unpopular decision and his role, how to handle a hypothetical situation in demolishing a historic home for a larger home that blocks views, how to accomplish something from his application - "the city should ensure equitable distribution of resources to our residents to create a high quality of life for all," asked what the city could improve, and about his time commitment with the council. Michael Gura acknowledged existing programs and services to connect seniors with, listen to people to find the root of the problem and look for solutions and tackle problems head on, he acknowledged property owner rights and looking for the highest and best use of the property, he wanted to continue supporting the Promise Program especially through the Business Council by reaching out to give a hand up, infrastructure aging issues with water main breaks and roadways so the city needs to keeping improving and maintain it, and he has shown that he shows up for events. Council Member Uipi moved to recess the meeting at 6:27 p.m. Council Member DeSirant seconded. Mayor Jackson called for the vote. Council Member Catten voted yes, Council Member DeSirant voted yes, Council Member Uipi voted yes, and Mayor Jackson voted yes. The motion passed unanimously. Council Member DeSirant moved to return to the meeting at 6:39 p.m. Council Member Uipi seconded. Mayor Jackson called for the vote. Council Member Catten voted yes, Council Member DeSirant voted yes, Council Member Uipi voted yes, and Mayor Jackson voted yes. The motion passed unanimously. Nathan Gibby The council asked about his time commitment to the council, to summarize city events/meetings he has attended and any feedback, how to handle a hypothetical situation in demolishing a historic home for a larger home that blocks views, how to address conflict with city day-to-day operations, asked what improvements the city could make, how he handled an unpopular decision and his role, and if he could separate from his role with Millcreek Miracle. Nathan Gibby noted he sets his own work schedule, he started "Canyon Rim is Community" to get neighbors involved in community projects, he described his involvement with the Millcreek Business Council, he would strike a balance with affected individuals and property owner/developer rights and abide by law, he would be an arbitrator and listen to the complainant and have them be part of the solution, the city can be better about engaging residents and getting them involved, he would have a dialogue and rationally reason with people and be transparent about an unpopular decision, and he would find someone to take over his other roles and lead the change. Millcreek City Council Meeting Minutes 24 November 2025 Page 5 of 7 Patti Hession The council asked about how to handle a hypothetical situation in demolishing a historic home for a larger home that blocks views, how to handle a complaint about staff, how the city should obtain more green space, how she handled an unpopular decision and her role/the outcome, how to handle staff advice that conflicts with her opinions, how to personally define neighborhood character and what criteria to use to decide if a new project fits within it, asked what improvements the city could make, what strengths she would bring to the city council, and what is Millcreek's next big project. Patti Hession acknowledged property owner rights and to exhibit sensitivity to affected neighbors, handling complaints seriously, taxes are inevitable when you are trying to accomplish better things, keeping cool and maintaining professionalism with upset people, she relayed an example of deciding which area would be better suited to rebuilding a school and maintaining professionalism, it is important to know your neighbors and do activities together, the city should be creative in drawing families to Millcreek and host events for single people to meet each other, she is known with the cornrnunity and that brings trust, and bringing in new activities. Nicole Handy The council asked about balancing individual property rights with community impacts, three important things to address housing affordability, to surnrnarize city events/meetings she has attended and any feedback, how to handle a hypothetical situation in demolishing a historic home for a larger home that blocks views, how to balance competing viewpoints with raising taxes and being able to provide services, asked what improvements the city could make, and an example of handling an unpopular decision and her role/the outcome in the situation. Nicole Handy said listening and cornrnunicating decisions was important, the city is on the right track by allowing high density and owner-occupied policies but there was opportunity to work with other cities and organizations facing the issue, she supported the city's incorporation and participated in the first mayor campaign and events at Millcreek Common, she would learn from the other council members but would fall back on the law and rights of the property owner, looking at other ways to increase revenue such as by increasing business then looking carefully at the budget to make sure that services are needed and not just wanted, she is proud to live in Millcreek and would like to look at doing more in addressing infrastructure, and she touched on a time at Canyon Rim Academy in coming up with a hybrid solution. The candidates then provided a closing statement as to why they should be appointed. The mayor and council thanked the candidates for their participation. Council Member Catten expressed that she had hoped a clear choice would emerge during the selection process but found all applicants to be highly impressive. She appreciated learning about each candidate's background and cornrnunity involvement, noting that several stood out as strong possibilities. She emphasized that even those not appointed should continue their Millcreek City Council Meeting Minutes 24 November 2025 Page 6 of 7 service, as their skills and dedication could greatly benefit the community in various roles, including volunteer opportunities. She encouraged applicants to remain engaged and even consider running for office in the future and aclaiowledged the difficulty she faced in choosing among such qualified individuals. Council Member DeSirant remarked that the community is fortunate to have such an exceptional pool of talented applicants. He noted that while he initially expected to have a few clear top choices, the interviews far exceeded his expectations and highlighted the strengths each candidate could bring. He emphasized the value of the council's interview process in allowing members to better understand the applicants and encouraged everyone, those already engaged as well as those less involved, to remain active or become more involved in community programs, councils, and other Iocal initiatives. Council Member Uipi explained that the appointment process is inherently challenging due to the limited information available compared to an election, where candidates typically share websites, flyers, and endorsements. She relied primarily on applications and interviews, seeking specific examples that demonstrated key competencies such as leadership, conflict resolution, visibility in the community, cornrnunication, presentation skills, and teamwork. She noted that endorsements or additional feedback from people who had worked with applicants were helpful but not formally scored. She emphasized the importance of understanding how candidates listen and collaborate, whether individually or as part of a team. She acknowledged the strong pool of applicants and expressed appreciation for those who reached out to share more about themselves. She concluded by encouraging ongoing community participation, noting that the city benefits from the many talented individuals who step forward during moments like this. Mayor Jackson noted that although she does not have a vote in the selection process, the decision feels especially meaningful because the applicants come from her own district. She expressed gratitude for knowing many of them personally and having worked with several over the years, while also appreciating the opportunity to learn more about those she had just met. She highlighted the thoughtfulness and insight reflected in all the applications. She emphasized that District 3 is rich with talented, dedicated residents, something reaffirmed by the strong pool of applicants. She thanked everyone for the time and effort put into the extensive questionnaire and interviews and expressed appreciation for those who participated despite scheduling challenges created by statutory deadlines and the holiday season. Council Member Catten added that Cheri Jackson did a fantastic job as council member, and she was looking for someone who could fill the role and "hit the ground running." Mayor Jackson pointed out that District 3 represents three cornrnunity council areas. The City Recorder provided the council with paper ballots to vote for the appointee. The ballots unanimously reflected Nicole Handy as the winner. Mayor Jackson acla'iowledged how difficult the selection decision was given the exceptional talent and genuine commitment demonstrated by all the applicants. She expressed deep appreciation for their contributions to the community and echoed the call for continued involvement. She emphasized that their voices, ideas, and passion significantly enhance the Millcreek City Council Meeting Minutes 24 November 2025 Page 7 of 7 city's success and overall sense of community and encouraged them to remain engaged in shaping Millcreek's future. 3. Discussion and Consideration of Resolution 25-42, Filling the Mid-Term Vacancy of Council District 3 Council Member Catten moved to approve Resolution 25-42, Filling the Mid-Term Vacancy of Council District 3 with Nicole Handy as the new council member. Council Member Uipi seconded. The Recorder called for the vote. Council Member Catten voted yes, Council Member DeSirant voted yes, Council Member Uipi voted yes, and Mayor Jackson voted yes. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Oath of Office; Council District 3 Appointee The City Recorder administered the oath of office to Nicole Handy. 5. Calendar of Upcoming Meetings @ Mt. Olympus Community Council Mtg., 12/1/25, 6:00 p.m. * Millcreek Community Council Mtg., 12/2/25, 6:30 p.m. * Canyon Rim Citizens Association Mtg., 12/3/25, 7:00 p.m. * East Mnl Creek Community Council Mtg., 12/4/25, 6:30 p.m. * City Council Mtg. 12/8/25 7:00 p.m. The council discussed which community council meetings they would attend. ADJOURNED: Council Member Handy moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Council Member Catten seconded. Mayor Jackson called for the vote. Council Member Catten voted yes, Council Member DeSirant voted yes, Council Member Handy voted yes, Council Member Uipi voted yes, and Mayor Jackson voted yes. The motion passed unanimously APPROVED: 1Qts Date nirc(t"' Cheri Jackson, Mayor Attest: Elystan, City Recorder