City Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 25, 2024 -1- THE WEST VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MET IN REGULAR ELECTRONIC SESSION ON TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2024 AT 6:30 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, WEST VALLEY CITY HALL, 3600 CONSTITUTION BOULEVARD, WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AND CONDUCTED BY MAYOR KAREN LANG. THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE PRESENT: Karen Lang, Mayor Lars Nordfelt, Councilmember At-Large Tom Huynh, Councilmember District 1 Scott Harmon, Councilmember District 2 William Whetstone, Councilmember District 3 Jake Fitisemanu, Councilmember District 4 ABSENT: Don Christensen, Councilmember At-Large STAFF PRESENT: Ifo Pili, City Manager Nichole Camac, City Recorder John Flores, Assistant City Manager Eric Bunderson, City Attorney Colleen Jacobs, Police Chief John Evans, Fire Chief Jim Welch, Finance Director Jerry Thompson, Acting CED Director Dan Johnson, Public Works Director Jamie Young, Parks and Recreation Director Jonathan Springmeyer, RDA Director Sam Johnson, Strategic Communications Director Ken Cushing, IT (electronically) Travis Crosby, IT OPENING CEREMONY- COUNCILMEMBER LARS NORDFELT Councilmember Nordfelt asked members of the Council, staff, and audience to rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING HELD JUNE 18, 2024 The Council considered the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held June 18, 2024. There were no changes, corrections or deletions.  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 25, 2024 -2- Councilmember Fitisemanu moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held June 18, 2024. Councilmember Huynh seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken and all members voted in favor of the motion. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Richard Dowse, a litigation attorney from Kaysville, Utah, shared his extensive involvement with the West Valley Performing Arts Center. Born in West Valley City, he moved to South Jordan with his family before returning to West Valley after getting married and then proceeding to law school. Richard participated in one of the last productions by Hale Center Theater in West Valley City, performing in "Big River" as the young man. Later, in 2019, he was in the first full production at the West Valley Performing Arts Center, playing Chuck Cranston in "Footloose." His family's investment in West Valley City was significant, with six siblings and around 60 cousins attending the shows, contributing thousands of dollars in gas, food, and entertainment. Richard expressed happiness about the theater's potential continuation through different avenues and reviewed the bylaws of the West Valley Performing Arts Center, finding them informative. Richard invited everyone to a July 14th block party at the theater and thanked them for their time. Michael Montenegro addressed the Council regarding a long-standing noise disturbance caused by his neighbor's dogs. The issue has persisted for several years, and despite working with animal control and submitting bark logs, no relief had been achieved. The barking occurs at all hours, day and night. Animal control often responded that the timelines submitted were insufficient, leaving Michael and his neighbors without a course of action. Attempts to confront the neighbors for a solution were ignored. The noise disturbance disrupts their sleep, occurring early in the morning and during the night. The only time the police were dispatched was when a dispatcher heard the barking over the phone at midnight. Otherwise, they direct Michael to contact animal control during business hours. Michael requested assistance from the Council for information on how to proceed, expressing the community's frustration and need for a resolution. Clark Bullen from Murray, Utah, and a supporter of West Valley Arts, affiliated with Keep West Valley Performing, shared his recent experience of watching "The Lightning Thief: The Musical" about Percy Jackson. He encouraged everyone to see it and highlighted other upcoming shows such as "Legally Blonde" and "Jekyll and Hyde," praising their quality. Clark expressed amazement at the thriving performing arts scene in West Valley, noting that many people were unaware of its existence but became regular attendees after their first visit. He emphasized the growth in audience numbers and his excitement for the future, envisioning sold-out performances and the program becoming synonymous with theater in Utah. He thanked the Council for allowing the program to continue and invited everyone  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 25, 2024 -3- to the block party on July 14th at the West Valley Performing Arts Center. He also encouraged purchasing tickets for the remaining shows and promoting them to friends, expressing pride in the local theater community. Michael Dye revisited the Council, reminding them about the thriving community of Highbury Place, which consists of about 200 residents. He highlighted the community's growth, noting that homes for sale are quickly purchased and occupied, maintaining a quiet and productive environment for residents of all ages. Michael urged the Council to reject any future rezoning requests that would change their zoning from R.1.8 residential or A2 zones to commercial properties. He emphasized that commercial properties would not be a good fit for their community, which values residential growth. He also mentioned the importance of supporting the area around the local STEM school by encouraging more residents who prefer to live and work from home rather than focusing on commercial activities. Eve Garcia, a resident of West Jordan, expressed her view on the responsibility tied to city partnerships involving public funds. She highlighted the beneficial relationship between the West Valley Performing Arts Center and the city, mentioning her recent visits to nearby restaurants to discuss the partnership. Eve reported positive interactions with restaurant managers, who are enthusiastic about the collaboration. Some managers offered promotions, such as discounts on appetizers for theater ticket holders, and reciprocally, the theater considered offering ticket discounts for restaurant customers. She emphasized the importance of the arts, commerce, and politics working together for the community’s benefit. Eve appreciated the encouragement to reach out to neighbors and thanked the Council for fostering these connections. She concluded by noting the excitement and improved relationships resulting from these discussions, reinforcing the community’s collaborative spirit. Walt Sorenson, a resident in the Highbury neighborhood, expressed concerns about the decline of trees in Centennial Park. He noted that many trees originally planned for the park had died and were not replaced, a trend he observed across various city parks and facilities. Walt emphasized the importance of maintaining the city's designation as a "Tree City," highlighting the benefits of trees in reducing heat and providing shade. Walt urged the city to revisit the original landscaping plans for all parks and facilities and to find a way to restore the intended tree coverage. He acknowledged that this would require time, effort, and proper care to ensure the new trees thrive. Additionally, Walt thanked the city for its efforts to keep the West Valley Arts Program running at the West Valley City Performing Arts Center. He encouraged everyone to attend the current and upcoming performances, praising the high quality of the shows. However, he expressed concern that many residents were still unaware of the theater's ongoing activities and urged the city to improve its promotion efforts.  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 25, 2024 -4- PUBLIC HEARINGS A. ACCEPT PUBLIC INPUT REGARDING PERSONNEL COMPENSATION INCREASES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 Mayor Lang informed a public hearing had been advertised for the Regular Council Meeting scheduled June 25, 2024, in order for the City Council to hear and consider public comments regarding Personnel Compensation Increases for Fiscal Year 2024- 2025. Mayor Lang opened the Public Hearing. There being no one to speak in favor or opposition, Mayor Lang closed the Public Hearing. CONSENT AGENDA A. RESOLUTION 24-106: APPOINT JOHN FLORES TO THE UTAH INFRASTRUCTURE AGENCY BOARD Mayor Lang discussed proposed Resolution 24-106 that would appoint John Flores to the Utah Infrastructure Agency Board. Written documentation previously provided to the City Council included information as follows: The Utah Infrastructure Agency’s bylaws require the City to appoint a member to the Agency Board. John Flores is the Assistant City Manager and has the experience and expertise to represent the City’s interests on the Board. B. RESOLUTION 24-107: ACCEPT A QUITCLAIM DEED FROM VANGAS, INC. FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3245 WEST 2100 SOUTH Mayor Lang discussed proposed Resolution 24-107 that would accept a Quitclaim Deed from Vangas, Inc. for Property Located at 3245 West 2100 South Written documentation previously provided to the City Council included information as follows: The VANGAS, INC. property (Suburban Propane) is located on the east side of 3270 West, with an address of 3245 West 2100 South. As a condition of approval of for a building permit, conveyance of additional right of way on 3270 West and construction of public improvements on the east side of 3270 West and the south side of the 2100 South Frontage Road was required.  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 25, 2024 -5- C. RESOLUTION 24-108: AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A REAL ESTATE PURCHASE CONTRACT AND ACCEPT A QUITCLAIM DEED AND A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT WITH AND FROM SALT LAKE COUNTY FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2880 WEST 3650 SOUTH Mayor Lang discussed proposed Resolution 24-108 that would authorize the City to Enter Into a Real Estate Purchase Contract and Accept a Quitclaim Deed and a Temporary Construction Easement With and From Salt Lake County for Property Located at 2880 West 3650 South. Written documentation previously provided to the City Council included information as follows: The Salt Lake County (library) parcel located at 2880 West 3650 South is one of several parcels affected by the Lancer Way Reconstruction Project; 2700 West to 3200 West. This project will widen Lancer Way and provide curb, gutter and sidewalk from 2700 West to 3200 West where it does not currently exist. The project will also install textured, colored concrete park strip, street trees, streetlights and new ramps at street intersections on Lancer Way. Compensation for the purchase of the Quit Claim Deed, Temporary Construction Easement and improvements is $30,300.00 and was based upon an appraisal prepared by Integra Realty Resources. The project is being funded through the Surface Transportation Program (STP). The city is responsible for 6.77% of all project costs, including right of way, making the West Valley City share of the acquisition $2,051.31. D. RESOLUTION 24-109: AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO ENTER INTO A REAL ESTATE PURCHASE CONTRACT AND ACCEPT A WARRANTY DEED AND A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT WITH AND FROM TCG-CW WEST VALLEY, LLC FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2945 WEST 3650 SOUTH Mayor Lang discussed proposed Resolution 24-109 that would authorize the City to Enter Into a Real Estate Purchase Contract and Accept a Warranty Deed and a Temporary Construction Easement With and From TCG-CW West Valley, LLC for Property Located at 2945 West 3650 South Written documentation previously provided to the City Council included information as follows: The PR TCG-CW West Valley LLC parcel located at 2945 West 3650 South is one of several parcels affected by the Lancer Way Reconstruction Project; 2700 West to 3200 West. This project will widen Lancer Way and  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 25, 2024 -6- provide curb, gutter and sidewalk from 2700 West to 3200 West where it does not currently exist. The project will also install textured, colored concrete park strip, street trees, streetlights and new ramps at street intersections on Lancer Way. The Warranty Deed and Temporary Construction Easement is being donated by the property owner. The property owner has development plans for the property and would have been required to convey right-of-way and construct right-of-way improvements as part of its development of the property had this project not been in the works. Upon inquiry by Mayor Lang there were no further questions from members of the City Council, and she called for a motion. Councilmember Nordfelt moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Harmon seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Councilman Fitisemanu Yes Councilman Whetstone Yes Councilman Harmon Yes Councilman Huynh Yes Councilman Christensen Absent Councilman Nordfelt Yes Mayor Lang Yes Unanimous. MOTION TO ADJOURN Upon motion by Councilmember Huynh all voted in favor to adjourn. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS OF THE WEST VALLEY COUNCIL THE REGULAR MEETING OF TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2024 WAS ADJOURNED AT 6:49 P.M. BY MAYOR LANG. I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true, accurate and complete record of the proceedings of the Regular Meeting of the West Valley City Council held Tuesday, June 25, 2024.  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JUNE 25, 2024 -7- _______________________________ Nichole Camac, CMC City Recorder