City Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 22, 2025 -1- THE WEST VALLEY CITY COUNCIL MET IN REGULAR ELECTRONIC SESSION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025 AT 6:39 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 Cindy Wood, 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 Steve Pastorik, CED Director Dan Johnson, Public Works Director Jamie Young, Parks and Recreation Director Jonathan Springmeyer, RDA Director Sam Johnson, Strategic Communications Director Paula Melgar, Human Resources Director Travis Crosby, IT OPENING CEREMONY- COUNCILMEMBER 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 APRIL 8, 2025  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 22, 2025 -2- The Council considered the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held April 8, 2025. There were no changes, corrections or deletions. Councilmember Harmon moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held March 25, 2025. Councilmember Huynh seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken and all members voted in favor of the motion. AWARDS, CEREMONIES, AND PROCLAMATIONS A. PROCLAMATION DECLARING THE 25TH DAY OF APRIL 2025 AS ARBOR DAY IN WEST VALLEY CITY Councilmember Wood read a Proclamation Declaring the 25th Day of April 2025 as Arbor Day in West Valley City. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Arianna, a student from Whittier Elementary, addressed the Mayor and City Council on behalf of the Whittier Falcons. She expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak again and reiterated a previous request for the honorary naming of the street in front of their school as "Whittier Way." She shared the school’s rich 140-year history of community involvement, highlighting past contributions such as community members providing water, food, and transportation during snowstorms, and sharing a church building when a schoolhouse was unavailable. Arianna emphasized that while community involvement looks different today, it remains strong. Current examples included collaborative efforts to build a life-size Rube Goldberg machine, food drives, Pinewood Derby races, STEAM events, and literacy and math nights. Arianna noted that while many high schools have honorary street names, Whittier would be the first elementary school in the Granite District to receive such a designation. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the collective achievements of the school and its community, regardless of student age. The Council was invited to attend Whittier’s 140th birthday celebration, scheduled for May 15, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The students hoped to unveil the commemorative sign during the event but extended the invitation regardless of the Council’s decision on the naming request. Arianna concluded by thanking the Council for the opportunity to participate in civic engagement and shared how much the students had learned from the experience. Mike Markham expressed ongoing concerns regarding code enforcement in his neighborhood. He referenced a nearby property, one house away from his own, where a severely damaged Hyundai vehicle had been left in the front yard for an extended period. Despite his initial report to Code Enforcement lacking a specific address, the officer searched the area but did not recognize the extent of the damage due to limited visibility from the street. Eventually, Code Enforcement contacted the residents and the car was covered with a car cover, though it remained in the front yard on gravel. Mr. Markham  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 22, 2025 -3- noted the yard had been mowed and weeds trimmed, but not fully removed or treated, and he predicted they would quickly return. He also described ongoing yard clutter, including large tree stumps from a previously removed willow tree, building materials, and other miscellaneous items that remained unaddressed. Mr. Markham expressed frustration with what he perceived as minimal or ineffective enforcement and shared concerns about the overall direction of Code Enforcement’s practices. He mentioned another property with previously reported car parts, some of which had been removed, but stated that additional debris still remained. Jim Vesock shared highlights from recent community events he attended as part of his "My Hometown" project. He expressed gratitude for the invitations he received and focused on one standout event—the Cambodian New Year celebration. He described an impressive dance performance by a group of women. Jim also mentioned participating in a Day of Service event at Peachwood Park with Granger High School, where he helped plant seven or eight trees. He acknowledged Darin for his hard work during the event, including using a wrecking bar to break up rocks, and commended him as well-deserving of recognition. He concluded by reminding everyone of the upcoming Spring Fest on May 3rd at the Utah Cultural Center, an event organized by the Clean and Beautiful Committee in partnership with Neighborhood Services and the City. RESOLUTION 25-58: ADD THE COMMEMORATIVE STREET NAME “WHITTIER WAY” TO 6000 WEST IN WEST VALLEY CITY Mayor Lang presented proposed resolution 25-58 that would add the Commemorative Street Name “Whittier Way” to 6000 West in West Valley City. Written documentation previously provided to the City Council included information as follows: Whittier Elementary School was established in 1882 with eight students. For over one hundred years, the school has served the youth of the City and the community at large. Whittier Elementary School is a center for community activities, youth programming, and service projects. The City desires to recognize Whittier Elementary School’s essential role in the City and offer a tangible reminder of the legacy of its students and staff. Upon inquiry by Mayor Lang there were no further questions from members of the City Council, and she called for a motion. Councilmember Huynh moved to approve Resolution 25-58. Councilmember Whetstone seconded the motion.  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 22, 2025 -4- A roll call vote was taken: Councilmember Wood Yes Councilmember Whetstone Yes Councilmember Harmon Yes Councilmember Huynh Yes Councilmember Christensen Absent Councilmember Nordfelt Yes Mayor Lang Yes Unanimous. RESOLUTION 25-59: APPROVE THE DEDICATION AND RENAMING OF THE JILL ROBINSON MEMORIAL BUILDING Mayor Lang presented proposed resolution 25-59 that would approve the Dedication and Renaming of the Jill Robinson Memorial Building. Written documentation previously provided to the City Council included information as follows: The Code Enforcement Department proposes naming the Code Enforcement building at 4522 W 3500 S, West Valley City, UT 84120, in honor of the late Officer Jill Robinson. A dedication ceremony will be held to recognize her contributions, with her family in attendance. The event will include the unveiling of new building signage, renaming it the “Jill Robinson Memorial” building, along with a commemorative plaque featuring her photo and a brief biography. On August 9, 2018, Jill Robinson, a dedicated code enforcement officer with over a decade of service in West Valley City, Utah, was tragically killed in the line of duty. While performing a routine follow-up at a residence, she was fatally shot by the homeowner, Kevin Wayne Billings, who was reportedly upset over code violations cited on his property. Following the shooting, Billings set fire to Robinson's city vehicle and his neighbor's house. In February 2019, Billings pleaded guilty to aggravated murder, aggravated arson, and other charges. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Upon inquiry by Mayor Lang there were no further questions from members of the City Council, and she called for a motion.  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 22, 2025 -5- Councilmember Harmon moved to approve Resolution 25-59. Councilmember Huynh seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Councilmember Wood Yes Councilmember Whetstone Yes Councilmember Harmon Yes Councilmember Huynh Yes Councilmember Christensen Absent Councilmember Nordfelt Yes Mayor Lang Yes Unanimous. CONSENT AGENDA A. RESOLUTION 25-60: ACCEPT A WARRANTY DEED, STORM DRAIN AND IRRIGATION EASEMENT, AND A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT FROM DON E. NICHOLS FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5348 AND 5368 WEST 3500 SOUTH Mayor Lang discussed proposed Resolution 25-60 that would accept a Warranty Deed, Storm Drain and Irrigation Easement, and a Temporary Construction Easement from Don E. Nichols for Property Located at 5348 and 5368 West 3500 South Written documentation previously provided to the City Council included information as follows: The Don E. Nichols parcel located at 5348 and 5368 West 3500 South is one of the properties affected by the 3500 South Safe Sidewalk Project. This project will include the construction of curb, gutter, sidewalk, patterned concrete and widened asphalt on the north side of 3500 South east of Sunshade Drive (5450 West). The property owner has agreed to donate the Warranty Deed, Storm Drain and Irrigation Easement, and Temporary Construction Easement in exchange for the improvements being constructed. Two Affidavits of Don E. Nichols are also included to remove the name of LaDean Nichols (deceased) as an owner of the property. The affidavits are to be recorded sequentially prior to the recording of the Warranty Deed, Storm Drain and Irrigation Easement, and the Temporary Construction Easement  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 22, 2025 -6- B. RESOLUTION 25-61: AUTHORIZE THE CITY TO ENTER INTO AN EASEMENT PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ACCEPT A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT WITH AND FROM SOK SOPHOAN LOR FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3540 SOUTH 6800 WEST Mayor Lang discussed proposed Resolution 25-61 that would authorize the City to Enter Into an Easement Purchase Agreement and Accept a Temporary Construction Easement With and From Sok Sophoan Lor for Property Located at 3540 South 6800 West. Written documentation previously provided to the City Council included information as follows: The Sok Sophoan Lor parcel located at 3540 South 6800 West is one of eight parcels affected by the 6800 West Street Improvements Project; 3750 South to 3500 South. This project will include the construction of curb, gutter, sidewalk, patterned concrete, streetlights and widened asphalt on the west side of 6800 West Street. The project is necessary to match up to improvements being built on the east side of 6800 West by a development. Compensation for the purchase of the Temporary Construction Easement and improvements of $1,100.00 was based upon the appraisal report prepared by the Fortis Group, LLC. Upon inquiry by Mayor Lang there were no further questions from members of the City Council, and she called for a motion. Councilmember Whetstone moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Councilmember Harmon seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken: Councilmember Wood Yes Councilmember Whetstone Yes Councilmember Harmon Yes Councilmember Huynh Yes Councilmember Christensen Absent Councilmember Nordfelt Yes Mayor Lang Yes Unanimous. MOTION TO ADJOURN  MINUTES OF COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING APRIL 22, 2025 -7- 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, APRIL 22, 2025 WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:02 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, April 22, 2025. _______________________________ Nichole Camac, MMC City Recorder