Council signs on with STRATA Networks to begin designing citywide fiber system
October 11, 2022, 7:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The American Fork City Council unanimously approved a master services agreement and first statement of work with STRATA Networks to start designing a city-owned fiber-optic network, to be fronted with capital projects money and repaid from a bond planned for 2023. It approved a Ken Garff Ford truck center on 1100 South, new dead-end street and temporary cul-de-sac rules, and liquor licenses for two sushi restaurants. Councilmember Staci Carroll voted against a lot consolidation between Greenwood Creek and Searle Meadows.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Presentation
HERO award to Jay Allen
No action
The mayor honored the late Jay Allen, an American Fork High teacher for 46 years and Timpanogos Cave ranger for 53, declaring Sept. 26, 2022, Jay Allen Day.
Item Consent 3 · Development
Release of $17,635 construction guarantee, Crossroads at American Fork Phase 2
Approved · 4-0
Released guarantee and accepted improvements.
- Payment$17,635
Item Consent 4 · Development
Release of $65,978 construction guarantee, Rockwell Ranch Block 1 Phase 2
Approved · 4-0
Released guarantee and accepted improvements.
- Payment$65,978
Item Consent 5 · Development
Release of $27,121.28 durability retainer, Lake City Row sewer
Approved · 4-0
Released durability retainer.
- Payment$27,121
Item Action 1-2 · Other
Liquor licenses for Tapa Sushi and Nori Sushi Bar and Grill
Approved · 4-0
Approved alcoholic beverage licenses for Tapa Sushi Japanese Cuisine (513 S. 500 East) and Nori Sushi Bar and Grill (821 W. State Road).
Item Action 3 · Contract
Water banking agreement with Deer Park LLC, 52.638 acre-feet
No action
Pulled from the agenda because the agreement was not ready.
- Water: 52.638 acre-feet
Item Action 4-5b · Subdivision
Greenwood Creek/Searle Meadows easement vacation and lot consolidation (Ordinance 2022-10-47)
Approved · 4-1
Vacated a public utility easement and amended the Greenwood Creek and Searle Meadows plats to move Greenwood Creek Lot 3 into the Shin family lot in Searle Meadows (R1-12,000 zone). Councilmember Carroll objected that the consolidation leaves a fenced double-frontage lot rather than a home facing the street; Councilmember Taylor noted neighbors agreed.
- Zone: R1-12,000
Item Action 5c · Development
Ken Garff Ford Truck Center site plan (Ordinance 2022-10-48)
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Approved a site plan for a new truck center in the GC-2 zone, subject to Sept. 21, 2022, Planning Commission conditions. Hunter joined electronically.
- Zone: GC-2
Item Action 6 · City code
Dead-end streets and temporary cul-de-sac standards (Ordinance 2022-10-49)
Approved · 5-0
Amended Section 15.1.100(E) on dead-end streets, revised the cul-de-sac standard drawing and created a temporary cul-de-sac drawing. Councilmember Shelton suggested adopting the International Fire Code's 750-foot temporary cul-de-sac length (allowing 17 homes rather than 15); Carroll declined to amend her motion.
Item Action 7 · City code
Future roadway extension (stub street) code (Ordinance 2022-10-50)
Approved · 5-0
City-initiated change letting the Development Services Director recommend whether a subdivision must stub streets to adjacent parcels, rather than requiring stubs to all neighboring parcels.
Item Action 8 · Other
Fitness Center spring floor declared surplus (Resolution 2022-10-36R)
Approved · 5-0
Declared the Fitness Center spring floor surplus for disposal.
Item Action 9 · Contract
STRATA Networks master services agreement and statement of work for city fiber
Approved · 5-0
Approved a master services agreement and Phase I statement of work with STRATA Networks to begin design of a citywide fiber-optic network; Bunker said Phase I design is about 8% of total project cost. Costs will be fronted from the capital projects fund and reimbursed from a bond expected in 2023; starting now saves six to eight months. The city keeps ownership of the design; profit-sharing is open for later negotiation. Shelton asked about micro-trenching and said a Comcast lobbyist had asked how Comcast could invest to stop the project. Carroll said she now supports it as a true public-private partnership. No dollar amount is stated in the minutes.
- ContractAmount not given to STRATA Networks
- Phase I design: about 8% of total budget
- Future funding: fiber bond expected 2023
- Participation by residents not mandatory
What residents said
Street repavingConstruction dustMunicipal fiber financial risk
No one spoke at hearings on a utility-easement vacation and surplus of the Fitness Center spring floor. Joe Garlington of Goldcrest Homes backed a hammerhead turnaround option in the cul-de-sac code. Alan Christiansen asked when his aging street would be repaved. Rio Honaker complained about construction dust near his home. Ken Sumsion warned about UTOPIA's finances, urged caution with fiber partners and said he would oppose a fiber bond door to door.