Due to the length of the meeting and relatively narrow space, this is a “highlight” version of the city council meeting.  Full minutes are available from the city for the public after they are approved.

Re-Zone Thomas Market

Jerry Thomas spoke to the council about a re-zoning.  In 2009, when he purchased the property, it had been listed as a residential property.  There are 3 parcels. The store is parcel 2, house is parcel 1, etc.  The request is to make it all commercial before the transfer to Broulims.  The house will be torn down.  There are plans to expand the store to the south.  PZ recommended rezoning from R to C.  

A motion to do so was approved.

Jon Abrams

Jon Abrams spoke in front of the council about the upcoming bond [which subsequently passed].  Abrams is retired as of this writing.  “It has been the most rewarding 4 yrs of my career,” he told the council.

Terrill Schwartz asked whether they could still somehow get an auditorium.  “We really do need an auditorium.  If we were able to pay off the school earlier, I would hope this community would come together and support an auditorium,” Schwartz said.  “I’ll tell you this—if I’m living here I’ll vote for it,” Abrams replied.

Sheriff

Sheriff Doug Williams reported to the council on police issues.  He expressed the opinion that his officers gave out too many warnings, and that the issuing of citations will likely increase from last month’s numbers.  

“There’s a lot going on,” Williams said.  “I’m working with Utah narcotics agents and trying to get ahold of the drugs coming into Malad.  There’s a lot of stuff in the background.  The triple homicide is back up and going. I vow that I’m going to do my best to catch those guys.  I want to do my best to prove to the county that I’ll do my best to catch them.”

Terrill Schwartz noted that  a capital [death penalty] case would be a financial strain on the county.  Williams stated that because the crime crossed state lines, it would likely be a federal case.

Williams reported on a gun threat at the high school, and unnamed weapons at the elementary.  Both were handled without incident.

Soil Conservation

Board members Cory Daniels and Doug Furhman spoke to the council with the chair to thank the city for its donation to the dist.  Their agreement with the city shop to store stuff there will be extended.  

A motion to approve $1500 to SWCD for 2026 passed.

Shelly Williams

Planning and Zoning Administrator Shelly Williams spoke to the council about a number of issues.  One issue was occupancy permits before people move into homes.  The specifics of who should be verifying the permit is in place were discussed.  Tory Richardson, John Christophersen, Shelly Williams, and the city should all have the information. 

A discussion about clear-view issues was held, related to fences and vegetation at various locations around town.  Councilman Lance Tripp suggested that the council needs to agree with and possibly clarify the language about this.  Issues are about where to measure the setbacks from and other factors.  Tripp said that he would like to look at the code on this issue.    

Tyler Webster

Mayor asks for information about how  gravesites are  dug.  Webster explained the excavation and fill process.  According to Webster, “The reason we’ve been getting sunken graves is that they had been putting material in with a lot of organic material from farms.  This decomposes over time and causes the settling.  Most that are starting to sink now are from 2007.”

John Christophersen

The Code Enforcement vehicle needs to be repaired.  He will look for a good deal.  Some alternatives to the transport were discussed.  He will get $8K or so now.  Fixing it for $9k might get $22k out of it.  A small truck was discussed as a more economical vehicle.  

The side by was purchased for 32K.  A new motor would put the total outlay at 42 or so, and a resale at 22k.  If the vehicle is sold, it will have to be up for auction.  

The prelim consensus was to pursue a little truck, but the question was whether to sell it outright or get it fixed first.  

It was decided to auction the side by.  It will have to be declared surplus during a meeting, and then posted and auctioned, etc.  

The process for code violation letters was discussed.  Attorney Evanson thinks the process works best when the lines of communication are open and it starts with a conversation.  But he wonders about some of the language.  The language becomes increasingly forceful, but the city has never issued a citation.  He notes that the statute allows the city to remove cars itself, and then put a lien on the property.  This is primarily in reference to disabled vehicles that are not registered.

“I don’t want to get a reputation for just letting things go” Councilman Tripp said.  The fine for a citation is issued every day until the matter is resovled.

Mayor Hawkins noted that” there is stuff going on at city park that shouldn’t be.” Specifically, she noted parking in restricted areas, using go karts on the walking path, motorcycle use, etc.  She asked if putting a sign up that sets up rules for walking path is that enforceable.  Evanson said that the city will have to pass an ordinance.  

Update on a grant for dog pound.  20’ by 20’ with outside kennels.  8’ 20’ on the outside.  Chain linked.  A local resident has indicated she might put $50k in an account for the city to donate to the project.  There are currently no animals in the pound.

Julie Bell “National Night Out” 

Julie Bell spoke to the council about “National Night Out.”  It was started 42 years ago.  It promotes neighborhood.  It’s an idea to get people basically doing block parties with their neighbors on the same night.  Sometimes police get involved and fire depts.  Sometimes fairs, etc.  Julie would like to keep it small.  She wants to have it on a Friday in August.  “Try to get as many streets or neighbors as possible to come out and do it.”  “I’ve attended them, but I’ve never been in charge of anything.  I’ll fumble through it if you want.”

Trevor Robbins

Arborist Trevor Robbins reported on the city’s trees.  He is done treating the trees in the  cemetery for now.  He thinks it’s going to be a yearly application.

“I am always mulching, always mulching.”  He just got done doing injections for trees that have iron chlorosis.  He has seen that the dirtbike riders are causing issues and tearing tags and markings ripped off and moved.  He thinks that the city should pass an ordinance to protect the property and trees.  

Councilman Tripp  will start looking to see what signs need to go up.  

Attorney Evanson noted that there already was a tree ordinance.  Robbins stated that he thinks it needs to be about city owned trees and be more expansive.  

Pigeon Problem

Pigeons are apparently a problem downtown.  They can be trapped from May to August.  Funds for pigeon removal were approved.    

Hilland Harvest

Triangle piece of land across from Hess Pumice.  They are putting in grain storage and hiring about 5 people for the next 5 years or so.  It’s in the impact zone.  He would like to put in his own septic and water.  He would agree to be annexed, but doesn’t think it needs to right now.  

A motion to allow them to dig a septic and well on property, which is in the impact zone.  Passed.  

Deep Creek Restrictions

637 shares of Deep Creek are at 250K gallons a share.  The city will be out of shares in 50 days at that rate.  It’s the pattern more than the restriction that is causing this.  Webster doesn’t want to turn it on until the first of June.  

“We need to send out something to educate people.  This isn’t free water, it’s something that we pay for every year.”

Councilman Tyrell Neal and others stated  that part of the issue is that people  water too much at the hottest points of the summer.  

Ideas about using different odd and even strategies, etc. were discussed.   “We need to try to come up with some ideas about education,” Tripp said.].