THE STATE OF UTAH
COUNTY OF SEVIER
CITY OF RICHFIELD
At the City Council
In and For Said City
February 10, 2026
Minutes of the Richfield City Council meeting held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Richfield City office building located at 75 East Center, Richfield, Utah. Mayor Bryan L. Burrows presiding.
- CALL TO ORDER
2,OPENING REMARKS - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- ROLL CALL
- MINUTES
- EXPENDITURES
- CONFLICT OF INTEREST
- BUSINESS
a. Eric Johnson open meeting/ethics
b. Audit financial statement
c. Planning commission report
d. Pioneer Townhomes development agreement
e. RV park development agreement
f. Chip seal project
g. Capital projects - OTHER BUSINESS
- ADJOURN
- OPENING REMARKS were offered by Councilmember Thomas
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Councilmember Arrington.
- ROLL CALL. Present: Bryan Burrows (Not voting), Brayden Gardner, Kip Hansen, Kendrick Thomas, Michele Jolley (Not voting), Rob Jenson (Not voting), Andrew Chappell, Kevin Arrington.
Also in attendance were Edward Nelson, Jagger Nelson, Jimi Glecklar, Rick Roberts, Gabe Miller, Greg Jensen, Elizabeth Steele, Micklane Farmer, Michelle Olsen, Keith Mogan, Trent Lloyd and David Anderson. - MINUTES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the minutes of the meeting held on January 27, 2026. Motion: Approve the minutes of the January 27, 2026, Council meeting, Action: Approve, Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Brayden Gardner. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Andrew Chappell, Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kevin Arrington, Kip Hansen.
- EXPENDITURES APPROVED. The Council reviewed the January 2026 Warrant Register. Councilmember Arrington asked where an ice machine that was purchase is being used. It is at the golf course. Motion: Approve the Warrant Register for January 2026, Action: Approve, Moved by Brayden Gardner, Seconded by Kevin Arrington. Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5). Yes: Andrew Chappell, Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kevin Arrington, Kip Hansen.
- Conflict of Interest. Councilmember Thomas declared a conflict on the chip seal project as he is an employee of Jones and DeMille Engineering.
- BUSINESS –
a. Eric Johnson to discuss open meeting and ethics laws. Johnson, who is the City Attorney, discussed the open meetings law and conflict of interests. The crux of the discussion is that City Council members should not discuss City business outside of the City Council. Anytime three or more councilmembers want to have a discussion concerning the City, they should be added to the agenda and discussed openly. All emails related to the City’s business are open to public inspection and are subject to GRAMA requests. The same is applied to all text messages dealing with City business – it is considered a public document that needs to be retained. Johnson stated that if a councilmember has a conflict, he or she should declare the conflict and abstain from voting. It is wise to declare ongoing conflicts of interests through a written declaration to the mayor, but also to state them as they come up during City Council meetings. Some councilmembers go as far as to leave the room during the discussion, or leave the dais – which is applauded by the public. Others will sit on the dais and sit silent. Under the law, they can participate in the discussion, but they cannot vote. Public sentiment can be harsher than the law. Councilmembers can’t vote or participate by proxy, but they may participate electronically if the agenda states so.
Councilmember Arrington asked if this is something that should be on all agendas and he recommended that it would be wise in the event there is an instance where a councilmember cannot attend in person.
Next, Johnson covered what constitutes a conflict of interest. If you or a member of your immediate family stand to gain something, that’s the gist of a conflict of interest. It extends to children, even if they are not living in the home, as well as to parents.
Councilmember Hansen asked what if there is not family relation, but a business or other association. Johnson said the conflict of interest statutes also extend to anyone who has a business relationship with a councilmember that could gain an advantage based on council decisions. The public does hold elected officials to higher standards than just what the law says – always error on the side of caution. The legal counsel advice is to go above and beyond what is required legally when it comes to conflicts of interests. He also clarified he represents the City’s interests above the interests of any individual person on the council.
b. Kimball and Roberts to present the audited financial statement for fiscal period ending June 30, 2025. Gabe Miller outlined the auditors’ opinion on Richfield’s financial statements, which is that they present a fair representation of the City’s expenditures, changes in financial position and cash flow. It is considered a clean or unmodified opinion, which is as good as one can achieve. He also explained what different portions of the audit, as well as changes being made by the Legislature. One such change will increase the length of the report. Another will cap cities from having more than 25 percent of their annual budget held in reserve in unrestricted funds, instead of the current 35 percent.
Even if it is considered unrestricted, that doesn’t mean that it’s just sitting in a bank somewhere, it’s still committed, said Mayor Burrows. Miller said that is correct, the point is to prevent communities from hoarding large amounts of money. None of the City’s funds have a negative balance. He also showed in the report where the budget ended up for the previous fiscal year.
Rick Roberts discussed the internal control, stating there were some findings, but they did not represent a material deficiency. He also explained there is a new audit guide each year with things auditors have to look at. One item that was completed during the meeting was the annual training on ethics and governmental records that Eric Johnson presented. Motion: Accept the audited financial statement for the fiscal period ending June 20, 2025, Action: Approve, Moved by Kendrick Thomas, Seconded by Brayden Gardner.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5).
Yes: Andrew Chappell, Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kevin Arrington, Kip Hansen.
c. Planning Commission Report. Dave Anderson discussed the planning commission meeting held February 4, 2026. There were three public hearings. Two were for development agreements – the Pioneer Lane development and the Red Roof Development campground. Both development agreements were recommended for approval. The final public hearing was for an ordinance amendment defining where storage containers (cargo) can be placed in Richfield City. The intent of the ordinance is to disallow them along all Main Street properties.
Next the Commission approved the construction of a facility for the Central Utah Counseling Center. This facility would take the place of the old mental health building just to the south of Maverik. It is going to be a receiving center catering to people who are having mental health issues. It can act as a place to have mental subjects instead of the emergency room. It is a 23-hour facility. Patients will be evaluated, then determined if they are to be transported to an inpatient facility, another facility on the campus of Central Utah Counseling Center or transported home.
Mayor Burrows asked about security. They will have medical staff, they also plan to work with local law enforcement. Their statement is that if you have someone with a badge it can escalate a situation, where a nurse or doctor won’t. The will have people there 24 hours a day.
Councilmember Chappell asked who transports to this facility. Chief Trent Lloyd said it is typically law enforcement. Law enforcement also deals with transports up north to inpatient facilities.
Councilmember Arrington asked how one would wind up in this facility. Deputy Clerk Anderson said it is intended to cater to a lot of different situations – people who suicidal ideation could check themselves in, law enforcement could bring someone in, a family member could bring them in.
Police Chief Lloyd said the big difference is that instead of Richfield transporting patients to the local emergency room, now other areas will be transporting to Richfield.
The Commission also approved a short-term rental at 677 W 300 North, it is a home that has a basement dwelling in it. They are going to use the basement for a short-term rental.
The Commission also continued its discussion of the RM-11 requirements. Part of the discussion is making sure the zoning works correctly for maximum units. The other portion is to encourage certain types of housing through things like allowing smaller lots in this zone.
Councilmember Hansen said some of that takes care of itself, that RM-11 means the maximum is 11 per acre, and sometimes there are other factors don’t allow it. Deputy Clerk Anderson said he has explained that to developers many times that the 11 number is a best-case scenario, not an entitlement. However, that message is not generally well received. It may even be renamed. Another function of the amendments is trying to set some standards for townhomes so that every project does not have to have a development agreement. The goal is to set standards that are realistic and fair, which would add some consistency. Councilmember Hansen can see extensive use of development agreements can be problematic because someone would need to track it.
Councilmember Chappell asked if the City is checking up on them.
Mayor Burrows explained that no, no one is following up on it.
Deputy Clerk Anderson said the ideal development agreement is one where the conditions are met up front. The ones that differ improvements to a later date can be more problematic. There will be one more work session in March before putting it before the council.
City Engineer Micklane Farmer suggested the council have a work session on it so the council can have some input before heading into the public hearing phase.
d. Consider approving a Development Agreement for the Pioneer Townhomes.
Councilmember Hansen asked about the parking and why the City conceded to the compacted road base instead of requiring it all to be asphalt. Originally the design was one spot short on parking, but it had a large area that wasn’t developed, stated Deputy Clerk Anderson. So, instead of just adding one additional paved parking spot, the concept was changed so they could have a reduction in the total number of paved parking areas, but there would be a road base parking area for overflow, trailer and vehicle parking. It was seen as a way to add utility to an area that the City couldn’t force to be asphalt. City engineer Farmer stated that it would be better to have eight additional gravel parking spots than one paved one.
Mayor Burrows said this will have an HOA with a narrow road. He expressed concern about people parking along the private lane, creating obstacles to emergency vehicle access and potential liability. Typically, people in this community have more than two small vehicles, which could contribute to problems in the future.
There will be red curb along the outside along 800 South as well as no parking allowed along the private lane.
Councilmember Chappell asked if the City attorney had reviewed it. He said the agreement calls for the developers to maintain certain aspects of the infrastructure instead of the HOA.
Chief Lloyd said the parking along 800 South could be enforced by the police, but not along the private lane.
Mayor Burrows asked if it meets the requirements under ordinance.
Deputy Clerk Anderson said as far as the road goes, it does. The ordinance requires 35-feet of right of way, not all of that would be asphalt road, which this project conforms to.
Councilmember Thomas said once the HOA is created, it becomes the responsibility of the owners. Councilmember Gardner said typically the HOA is created once a certain number of the units is sold, and it assumes the maintenance duties. He said there are other HOAs in town that function well.
Councilmember Hansen said parking limitations often spill over onto the City.
Councilmember Chappell said he does like the additional parking as it will help keep trailers and such from parking on City Streets.
Motion: Table until February 24 so the City Attorney can review it, Action: Table, Moved by Kevin Arrington, Seconded by Kip Hansen.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5).
Yes: Andrew Chappell, Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kevin Arrington, Kip Hansen.
e. Consider approving a Development Agreement for the RV Park on 100 East.
Mayor Burrows asked about the installation of sidewalk. He said the last time this was discussed, it seems like the sidewalk on the west side of the street wasn’t possible, that it would have to just be curb and gutter.
The design on the bridge has started.
Councilmember Gardner suggested that it align with the eventual road as it relates to the bridge.
Councilmember Hansen said part of the agreement states he has the right to ask for an extension of the deadline for putting in the improvements. He said the developer would have that anyway.
This development is based on what was originally drafted for Jared Jensen when the project belonged to him.
City Engineer Farmer said in this case, the sidewalk wouldn’t make sense unless it had a jog in it. If the developer put it in, it would be on the property line.
Mayor Burrows said as he recalled, the negation was that there would just be curb and gutter on the side with the RV park due to the limitations of the road, however, in the agreement it says he’d give up the footage for it. He said when Jensen was involved, giving up the footage for the sidewalk would make the project.
Farmer said the references for the sidewalk could be redacted as a condition of approval.
City Administrator said 100 East will never be any wider than it currently.
Councilmember Hansen said not putting in the sidewalk in this instance makes sense, but he’d still like the curb and gutter. City were to later decided to put in sidewalk, it would be on the east side.
Councilmember Gardner asked if the attorney had looked at it. Councilmember Hansen said it’d been looked at by the previous attorney.
Motion: Approve the agreement with the modification that the developer will put in curb and gutter along his property line and not be required to put in a sidewalk, Action: Approve, Moved by Kendrick Thomas, Seconded by Kip Hansen.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5).
Yes: Andrew Chappell, Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kevin Arrington, Kip Hansen.
f. Consider approving a chip seal project for this spring.
The City has approximately $200,000 it can utilize on a road maintenance project this year, City Administrator Jolley said. The road evaluation program was used to find the roads most in need of a treatment.
City Engineer Farmer said most of the roads in the proposed project have been crack sealed. There was originally three scheduled areas, but one section was taken out because it was an additional $150,000. Farmer outlined the areas that would be covered with this project. One possible modification would be to extend the project to the end of 1100 South. This project would cost approximately $190,000. Micro-surfacing and chip sealing crews are less busy this year. The goal is to get this out to bid in time to have the City Council approve it by next month. With the heavy amount of crack seal, micro-surfacing doesn’t adhere as well. The chip seal hides the crack seal better than the micro-surfacing. Chip seal is less expensive than micro-surfacing. Micro-surfacing can have more longevity.
Public Works Director Keith Mogan said his crew has been putting down a significant amount of crack seal throughout the town.
Administrator Jolley said part of Richfield’s road money goes to debt service on a project completed previously, but the City still needs to be maintaining it roads to prevent them from critical deterioration.
Motion: Approve the expenditure of up to $500,000 for chip seal project for this year, Action: Approve, Moved by Brayden Gardner, Seconded by Kevin Arrington.
Vote: Motion passed (summary: Yes = 4, No = 0, Abstain = 1).
Yes: Andrew Chappell, Brayden Gardner, Kevin Arrington, Kip Hansen.
Abstain: Kendrick Thomas.
g. Review and discuss the capital projects list for this year.
Councilmember Hansen said he would like to keep the bridge replacement project on the list.
Councilmember Arrington asked what the new gym project is. It is there as part of a plan to add four indoor basketball courts to the City utilizing a Sprung structure.
Councilmember Thomas asked if the 100 E property acquisition would be more pressing due to the campground approval. There is still a need to acquire the property still for the road expansion.
Mayor Burrows asked about the underground water rights purchase, which could become a reality as soon as 2027. Councilmember Gardner said he would suggest it be moved to short term, while the library/community center would be a medium-term project.
Councilmember Hansen it may be good to have cemetery land acquisition should also be on the radar.
Councilmember Thomas asked about the parking project on the west side of the freeway. That would be something covered under a state recreation grant currently.
Financial Director Jenson said the fire chief has expressed an interest in updating a fire engine, which is the type of project the CIB usually looks favorably upon. Sewer lagoons can stay in medium term, Administrator Jolley said.
The top three items on the short-term list are now the fire truck, underground water right purchase and bridge replacement. It will have to be approved during the next meeting.
- OTHER BUSINESS. Kevin Arrington said the first Fourth of July meeting will be within the next couple of weeks. One item that has come up is putting the sound up for bid. Howard Western has done it for years, and there may be some savings to go out to bid with it. It may be something that is done year to year. It was $6,500 last year, so there could be room for savings.
Arrington also said some of the changes in how the county travel council spends funds. How much comes in from where, and what is spent where. Last year just under $900,000 in the transient room tax was generated. It was interesting that just over $600,000 of that came in from Richfield City. On the flip side, the SVC is funded for $86,000 in sponsorship funds, while the Blackhawk brought in $127,000, which was more than Salina brought in.
Arrington also spoke about the green room at the SVC, which is used as a way to help coaches. For years it was the Richfield chamber that provided food for it. When the wrestling tournaments came, the requests went from 25 or so people to over 100, which became unmanageable over a five-day period. The chamber wasn’t involved this year due to some miscommunication. Anything the city and chamber can do to make them feel more welcome helps. Richfield City may help with the hospitality room. Currently there are five days of wrestling as well at 3A basketball and the option for 1A basketball. Anything that can be done to make them more welcome will help.
Councilmember Hansen asked about street sweeping. It hasn’t changed.
Councilmember Thomas gave an update on the R project west of town. There is some significant support with donations from contractors and others to help make the project a reality.
Administrator Jolley explained that the old pool was slated to be closed on February 26. However, the boiler has gone out and is a critical problem. It is leaking badly. As much as the City wants to keep the pool open until the 26th, it would take a couple of thousand dollars for parts that may take a couple of months to procure. The pool will likely be closed Friday, Feb. 13.
- ADJOURN. At 9:30 p.m., adjourn. Motion: Adjourn the meeting, Action: Adjourn, Moved by Kevin Arrington, Seconded by Kendrick Thomas.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 5).
Yes: Andrew Chappell, Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kevin Arrington, Kip Hansen.
PASSED and APPROVED this * day of * 2026.
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Recorder