Council weighs Mine Bench hotel-employee housing proposal without a vote, backs RSOQ for Bonanza five-acre site and removes Forestry Board
March 14, 2024, 3:15 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 445 Marsac Avenue
On March 14, 2024 the council heard a proposal from Servitas for about 300 units and 660 beds on the city-owned Mine Bench lot under a 20-year ground lease and, in discussion without a vote, most members said they did not support the project at that location (Council Member Ryan Dickey was open to the next step). By consensus all members supported selecting a development team for the Bonanza five-acre site through a request for statements of qualifications (option three). The council approved, 5-0, a $484,250 bus shelter design and fabrication agreement and an ordinance removing the Forestry Board. Work sessions covered recreation, ice and golf fees, and information technology infrastructure. Minutes are marked draft.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Closed · Other
Motion to close the meeting to discuss litigation
Approved · 5-0
Closed session ran from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.
Item Work1 · Taxes and fees
Recreation, ice and golf fee recommendations
Discussed
At the MARC, 82 percent of users live in the 84060 or 84098 zip codes; the goal is revenue covering 70 percent of expenses, and revenue has been flat for two years while expenses rose about $300,000 a year. Council supported moderate changes and asked to see a rate proposal. At the ice arena, the Snyderville Basin district agreed to raise its annual contribution from $50,000 to $66,000; Rubell and Ciraco did not want Wasatch County treated as local. At the golf course, 77 percent of rounds are by local residents; members suggested twilight rates and resident-only season passes. No vote.
Item Work2 · Other
Information technology infrastructure initiatives
Discussed
Replacing the aging financial system in phases over about three years, email accounts for part-time and seasonal staff, and fiber infrastructure estimated at $20 million around 2028. Rubell asked for a policy discussion so departments cannot opt out of the new system; Parigian wanted to lower the fiber cost. No vote.
Item II · Presentation
Library annual update
Discussed
The library received a state quality award; a survey drew 700 responses requesting more adult programs, inventory, quiet spaces and events. Staff said wear and tear is significant and more space is needed. No vote.
Item VI.1 · Contract
MODSTREET design services agreement for new bus shelters
Approved · 5-0
Design professional services to fabricate and deliver new bus shelters. Parigian asked that designs be unique to each neighborhood; staff said this was being considered.
- Contract$484,250 to MODSTREET, Inc.
Item VII.1 · Development
Pre-development agreement with Servitas for the city-owned Mine Bench lot
Discussed
Concept of 300 units and 660 beds on a 20-year ground lease with annual ground rent of $368,000 to $1.94 million; pre-development costs total $9.77 million with a 35 percent city share ($3.38 million), in three stages with termination options. Twelve speakers: three raised traffic, wildlife and open space concerns; nine, including hotel and business representatives and housing advocates, were supportive. Dickey supported the next step; Rubell said the value did not justify the impact and open space is protected by agreement; Ciraco, Toly and Parigian did not support the project at this location; the mayor hoped to work with hotels on a more suitable site. No motion or vote and no formal direction is documented.
Item VII.2 · City code
Ordinance 2024-06: removing the Forestry Board
Approved · 5-0
Amends sections 14-1-2 through 14-1-4 of the city code to remove the Forestry Board and transfer its authority to the Forestry Manager, for efficiency. Water-wise and fire-wise plans would still go to the manager. No hearing comments.
Item VIII.1 · Budget
Employee compensation study
Discussed
A consultant benchmarked pay against 40 Utah communities and resort towns; the philosophy remains at the 75th percentile; 160-plus job bands were reduced to 14 and pay ranges rose 5 to 10 percent. Members supported the philosophy. No vote.
Item VIII.2 · Development
Bonanza five-acre site feasibility study: request for direction
Discussed
Four options were presented: an RFP now under current zoning, an RFP now using the small area plan recommendations, a request for statements of qualifications now to select a development team and then an RFP for selected teams, or finishing the small area plan first. Arts organizations asked not to rush or preferred finishing the plan, and asked that local artists be included. Consensus of all members, without a recorded vote: option three. Council will review the RSOQ before issuance and the five-acre advisory committee will review responses.
What residents said
Mine Bench traffic and open spaceFive-acre site timelineLocal artist inclusion
None on non-agenda items. Twelve speakers addressed the Mine Bench proposal; arts representatives addressed the five-acre site; a housing advocate supported the compensation philosophy.