At the City Council
In and For Said City
April 8, 2025
Minutes of the Richfield City Council meeting held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 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.
- OPENING REMARKS Councilmember Thomas
- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE by invitation Councilmember Gardner
- ROLL CALL Roll Call. Present: Bryan Burrows (Not voting), Brayden Gardner, Kip Hansen, Kendrick Thomas, Tanner Thompson, Michele Jolley (Not voting).
Excused: Elaine Street, Rob Jenson.
Also, Kylee Boyter, Kirk Tyler, Connor Butterfield, James Owen, Parker Vercimak, Carson DeMille, Trent Lloyd, Adam Robinson, Keith Mogan, Brady Edwards and Amy Myers. - MINUTES APPROVED – Consider a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 25, 2025. Motion: Approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 25, 2025, Action: Approve, Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Brayden Gardner.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4).
Yes: Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
Excused: Elaine Street. - EXPENDITURES APPROVED – Consider a motion to approve the warrants and cash disbursements for March 2025.
Councilmember Gardner had two questions concerning the warrants and cash disbursements. On page 7, he asked about a payment for sidewalks. This is part of the city’s sidewalk replacement program where the city will pay for the survey. Next, he asked about the bike storage fee and if it were annual. It is an annual fee paid through the police department. The storage area is full and generally emptied once a year. Motion: Approve the warrants and cash disbursements for March 2025, Action: Approve, Moved by Tanner Thompson, Seconded by Kendrick Thomas.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4).
Yes: Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
Excused: Elaine Street. - BUSINESS
a. Brady Edwards to present information and discuss restitution for vandalism at the restroom at City Park.
Edwards said he has two young ladies who were involved with the vandalism of the city property. He said he was impressed with how they conducted themselves through the mediation process. It was a process that lasted about two and a half hours, and they were asked what they felt they could do to pay back the penalty. One of them said she would be willing to give 35 hours of community service. As they worked through the process, Edwards said he would accept 20 hours of community service if they were willing to come to city council. The third thing that is still being worked on is a social media campaign where people caught vandalizing could help spread the message to others to not engage in vandalism. He gave both of the youths a chance to offer an apology for what they’ve done.
The first one spoke and apologized, saying she is willing to do whatever it takes to make up for her actions. She said she is willing to spread the message of not participating in vandalism on social media as it hurts the attraction.
The second person spoke and also apologized, saying she felt bad about it as soon as she had done it.
Councilmember Thompson said this is a difficult situation as everyone has done things wrong in life, but it was brave of the girls to face the council and apologize. Councilmember Hansen said that peer pressure can make us do bad things in the heat of the moment, but it can also be used to do good things.
Mayor Burrows thanked them for having the courage to come to the council, and praised them for doing so. He said all the infrastructure in the City is paid for by those who live here. Everyone has the opportunity to use them, and it can be discouraging for those who work very hard to keep things nice to see it damaged, but he appreciates the effort to apologize.
Councilmember Thomas also thanked the adults who attended the meeting with the youths in helping to correct what had occurred.
b. Consider approving a contract with BHI for Construction Management/General Contractor [CMGC] services for the pool project.
Kirk Tyler spoke on behalf of BHI. He said he is excited to be part of such an important project.
Councilmember Thompson said he feels the BHI proposal was thorough and professional. Motion: Approve the contract with BHI for CMGC services for the pool project, Action: Approve, Moved by Tanner Thompson, Seconded by Brayden Gardner.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4).
Yes: Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
Excused: Elaine Street.
c. Consider approving an agreement and scope of work for the replacement of the AWOS [Automated Weather Observation System] at the Airport.
Connor Butterfield spoke on for Lochner. The AWOS is a system that helps provide weather information to pilots. The current system is down. Airport Manager Adam Robinson the old system needs to be replaced.
Butterfield said the total project will be approximately $400,000. The good thing is that the federal government is doing a 95 percent match, which leaves just 2.5 percent for the City and 2.5 percent for the state to match – approximately $10,000.
Councilmember Thomas asked if this project was moved up a year. Butterfield said yes it has, so it can be constructed this summer.
Councilmember Hansen asked if there is any danger of the funds not being available. Butterfield said at this point the FAA is going through appropriation, so once a grant is awarded, it’s a done deal. Councilmember Hansen said this may be an extra incentive to move forward now as what will happen with federal funds in the future may be a an unknown.
Motion: Approve the agreement for the scope and work for the replacement of the AWOS system at the Airport, Action: Approve, Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Kendrick Thomas.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4).
Yes: Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
Excused: Elaine Street.
d. Planning Commission report. Commission Chairman Josh Peterson presented the report. Tyler Boren requested a preschool at 381 West 200 North, which was discussed and approved. Ann Valae asked for two short-term rentals as 977 West 1080 South and 973 West 1080 South. Those were both approved.
The preliminary development approval for Valley Ridge out by the golf course was recommended for approval. Some changes were made, and it has been improved. There was also a public hearing on a proposed ordinance amendment on pre-existing lots – no comments were offered at the public hearing. There was also a hearing on the amendments to development standards, which again had no comments.
Both the ordinance amendment and updated development standards were recommend to the Council for approval.
Councilmember Thompson asked about short-term rentals and if the city is near its threshold for them. Peterson said there is a cap, and it hurt to see the units that were proposed for them during this meeting as they were good family homes.
Mayor Burrows asked about the ordinance amendment and if it will streamline the process for sidewalk, curb, gutter and shoulder improvements. Peterson said it will, the City staff will have a consistent standard and specification for projects that qualify for the modified standard.
Councilmember Thomas asked if there were any changes made since the joint meeting. Peterson said there was, a graded water way to keep water from undermining the road or the sidewalk. He said it was changed so that the city crew when it installs pipe would determine that grade as to be protect the sidewalk and the road.
e. Consider approving an agreement with Jones & DeMille for the USDA waterline project. Councilmember Thomas declared a conflict of interest.
Parker Vercimak of Jones & DeMille Engineering explained there is some issues. When it was first awarded, they felt the total project cost would be $1.125 million, and the original contract was based on that. This included the boring underneath I-70, the looping of the line to Airport Road and one block of work in the City limits. When they did the report, they were told they were leaving money on the table. The $1.125 million is what rural development is obligating to the project, plus the city’s match of $375,000 so we have a total $1.5 million for the project. The City had approved this agreement back in the fall, but USDA has specific requirements, one being the use of their contract. So, they redid some parts of the project to include more pipework in town. This has increased the total cost of the project. Originally, they were going to asked for amendments to the project, but Rural Development is asking for new agreement that fits their contract language – a EJCDC E-500 agreement. It was over 100 pages long, but has since been edited down to about 55 pages. There are three pages that matter, the scope of work, the reward on the PR and ER to make them fit the budget and some survey work to make sure the additional block of pipe can be added in.
Basically, the old agreement is being discarded, and a new agreement is being entered into in order to fit the USDA requirements.
Mayor Burrows asked about the number of blocks of work in town the new agreement would encompass. Vercimak said it will include two blocks. Once the contract between the City and Jones & DeMille is signed, they’ll be able to move forward. Mayor Burrows asked when it will go to bid. He said the schedule has been predicated on the speed that USDA completes the contract, which means it could be advertised in June, and open bids around July 4 – working around the holiday. Construction would likely start in October or November. The big issue is crossing the canal, so that will have to be done in January or February. It would take an approximately 90-day construction window to complete.
Motion: Approve an agreement with Jones & DeMille for the USDA waterline project, Action: Approve, Moved by Kip Hansen, Seconded by Brayden Gardner.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4).
Yes: Brayden Gardner, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
Excused: Elaine Street.
f. Public hearing to receive comments on proposed amendments to the City’s development and construction standards. The hearing was opened at 7:34 p.m.
Kylee Boyter asked what the amendments are. The changes are outlined in a different color. Mayor Burrows said it was basically house cleaning. Administrator Jolley said this is an update to the standards the City will accept. Mayor Burrows closed the hearing at 7:35 p.m.
g. Public hearing to receive comments on a proposed amendment to requirements for curb, gutter, sidewalk, and asphalt shoulders. Mayor Burrows opened the hearing at 7:35 pm. Boyter asked what this will cut back on in the process. Mayor Burrows explained that all it’s going to affect is the older parts of town where vacant lots or older homes being replaced. Its for existing lots and single-family homes. Burrows closed the hearing at 7:36 p.m.
h. Public hearing to receive comments on a proposed annexation of property located at approximately 2300 South 1600 West owned by Chet Thompson. Hearing opened at 7:36 p.m. Hearing no comments, Mayor Burrows closed the hearing at 7:37 p.m.
- OTHER BUSINESS – The Police department has purchased two of the three vehicles is slated to purchase, Chief Trent Lloyd said. The department will likely be hiring a new officer next week.
The airport’s new fuel system is set to be online April 28th, said Adam Robinson.
Brady Edwards said the annual Easter egg hunt went well. The helicopter drop by JJ Lund and his pilot was one of the crowd’s favorite parts of the event. The city did donate some fuel.
Also, the Lions Park will have cement being poured Thursday for its new basketball court.
Public Works Director Keith Mogan said the sewer project around the care center moving forward. Also, the water project wrapping up. Concrete will be starting on the bike path this week.
Councilmember Thompson said the cemetery gate is looking good following the pressure washing to remove the paint.
Mayor Burrows asked about the sign at the City Park. Brady Edwards said it is moving forward, and asked what the preference was for the location of the sign. Having it mounted high would help protect it from vandalism. Mayor Burrows said the sign may also be more visible if it is higher.
Councilmember Hansen talked with Justin Jepson about possibly eliminating the fish grab for the 4th of July celebration. Somethings live out a natural cycle, and perhaps it’s time for a change. He thinks its time to let it go. If someone has some strong feelings about it, they can let Justin know.
City Administrator Jolley asked if this is something the Council should vote on. Councilmember Hansen said he didn’t. Councilmember Thompson said yes.
Hansen said the foot races are staying, even though they are not as big of a deal as they once were.
Councilmember Thompson said he’d like to see the fish grab remain part of the City’s tradition. - ADJOURNMENT Motion: Adjourn the meeting, Action: Adjourn, Moved by Kendrick Thomas, Seconded by Brayden Gardner.
Vote: Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (summary: Yes = 4). - Yes: Brayden Gardner, Kendrick Thomas, Kip Hansen, Tanner Thompson.
Excused: Elaine Street.