May 2nd Council Meetings and Updates
Happy May Day!
April was filled with unexpected things.
2023 Election. Councilman Bracken capitulated from his support of Cottonwood Heights staying the course within the Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) pilot program. He dropped his support the night before the April 18th council meeting. A council consensus was taken on April 18th with the mayor weighing in on behalf of absent Councilman Petersen against continuing RCV for the 2023 elections. Despite the urgings of Councilman Newell and myself, it was determined that CH will go back to the primary/general election format. Registration to run for D1 or D2 occurs June 1-10.
Then, on April 20, was the death of District 1 Councilman Doug Petersen. His cheerful disposition hid any discomforts until his collapse in late March. In the course of serving on the council together in 2022, we found our common ground in sharing stories of our childhood - he riding horses amidst the orchards of Cottonwood Heights and me within the orange groves and open fields of Orange County. We discovered mutual friends from our business careers, and found ways to talk about diverse subjects together over the months that we served together on the council. His dedication to his family and community were crystal clear.
Extending my condolences to Doug’s wife Kathy, his extended family and friends.
THROUGH May10th---Applications are being accepted to fill the D1 council seat. https://www.cottonwoodheights.utah.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=7218
May 11th and 12th City Council review of the applications. We will also schedule formal interviews during these two days;
May 15th—Hold a special meeting to conduct interviews with those that have applied for the position;
May 16th—Time will be set aside for closed session deliberation and then a public selection meeting to finalize the City Council selection decision.
Spring Run Off. City staff is doing a good job with their communications regarding the steps being taken by the city's Emergency Preparedness Committee led by Assistant Chief Paul Brenneman. Public Works' Danny Martinez has also been a primary contact for residents. Community groups within the committee are doing amazing work organizing sandbagging events and communicating need areas to the city. While monitoring known creeks such as Big and Little Cottonwood, Little Willow (out of Deaf Smith's Canyon) is a focus, streamlets that only run during extreme run off periods have caused some flood damage. Fears of erosion on steep embankments continues to be a concern to certain homeowners within District 4. Please keep me in the loop if you have concerns that are not being met.
Upcoming May 2nd Council Meetings excerpts:
4pm "Work Session":
“a. Spring Runoff Preparations
b. Sustainability Priorities
c. Chicken and Rooster Ordinance Discussion
d. Public Works Building Contract
e. Butlerville Days Fireworks Display and Drone Show
f. Telecom Tax
g. Proposed Fiscal 2023/24 Budget Discussion
7pm "Business Meeting":
3.1 Acknowledgment of Councilmember Doug Petersen's life and service by Mayor Mike Weichers
4.0 CITIZEN COMMENTS
('During each regular city council meeting (specifically excluding work sessions), there will be a period not to exceed sixty minutes for citizen comment.' (Cottonwood Heights Code of Ordinances 2.30.160 (B)) City Manager Tim Tingey will admit into the record written public comments submitted to the City Recorder prior to 4:00 p.m. on the meeting date.
Consideration of Resolution 2023-20 Adopting a Tentative Fiscal 2023/24 Budget. Providing for Public Inspection of Such Budget; Establishing the Time and Place of a Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of such Budget; and Providing for Public Notice of Such Hearing.
Consideration of Resolution 2023-21 Approving a Firework Display Contract with Lantis Productions for 2023 Butlerville Days.
(By this resolution, the council will approve the city's entry into a contract with Lantis Productions for a fireworks display at 2023 Butlerville Days).
6.3 Consideration of Resolution 2023-22 Approving a Drone Show Performance Contract with Open Sky Productions, LLC for 2023 Butlerville Days.
6.4 Consideration of Resolution 2023-23 Approving an Amendment to Agreements with SIRQ, Inc. for Construction Manager-General Contractor Services.
(This resolution will approve the city's entry into an amendment to the AIA Document A133-2019 and AIA Document A201-2017 previously entered into by the city whereunder SIRQ, Inc. is providing construction manager-general contractor services in connection with the city's public works facility under construction on city-owned realty located at 6579 South 3000 East in the city. The purpose of this amendment is to approve the contractor's guaranteed maximum price proposal as contemplated by the base contracts).
6.5 Consideration of Resolution 2023-24 Approving Entry into a Development Agreement with Ivory Development, LLC.
(By this resolution, the council will approve the city's entry into a development agreement whereunder, among other things, Ivory Development, LLC will construct 'public park'-type improvements on approximately 1.87 acres of ground the city plans to purchase that is located in Ivory's planned residential subdivision under development near Doverhill Drive in the city). “
Your comments have strongest voice when you make them in person at the meetings. If that doesn't work for you, please email to the city manager AND/or text me and I will do my best to represent your views during the sessions.
Utah TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION meets in SLCO on Friday. This is an opportunity to make your voice heard regarding UDOT's gondola, 2500 parking stall garage, widening of Wasatch Blvd and/or need for "First Class Transit for Salt Lake Valley":
The Utah Transportation Commission would like to invite you to attend their next public meeting on Friday, May 5, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. at the Calvin Rampton Complex, in the Redwood Conference Rooms, located at 4501 South 2700 West, Taylorsville. Notice of this meeting is being sent to local government officials throughout Salt Lake County. There will be time on the agenda for public comments, and you are welcome to participate. Public comments may be made in person during the meeting, virtually from a remote location, or submitted in advance as written or audio/video files, emailed to transportationcommision@utah.gov. The meeting will also be live streamed and available afterwards at youtube.com/UtahDOT.
Active Transportation/Walkability. The Parks, Trails and Open Space Committee (PTOS) has voted to start a subcommittee for Active Transportation within Cottonwood Heights. Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering some of your insights, suggestions and/or time. I have petitioned the mayor and committee chair to me to fill Doug Petersen's council liaison position on PTOS. TBD.
Council Member Birrell helps with Top of the World April 29th sandbagging.
Christine Phillips, one of our Emergency Preparedness Committee leaders, is pictured with resident Craig Dinsmore at the April 29th sandbagging event held in Top of the World.