Council accepts $2 million state grant for Boat Harbor, raises TSSD sewer fees and tables accessory building rules
December 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m. · American Fork City Hall, 31 N. Church St.
The council accepted a $2 million Utah Department of Natural Resources grant for improvements at the American Fork Boat Harbor and adopted Timpanogos Special Service District impact and user fee increases that Council Member Rob Shelton noted step up about 40% at once. A split council tabled a rewrite of accessory building rules, 3-2, sending it to a January work session. Outgoing Council Members Shelton and Kevin Barnes were honored, and the city gave its HERO Award posthumously to Marine Capt. Ralph Jim Chipman, whose remains were identified 50 years after he went missing in Vietnam.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Presentation
HERO Award to Marine Capt. Ralph Jim Chipman
No action
Mayor Frost presented the HERO Award posthumously to Capt. Chipman, an American Fork Marine pilot missing in action over North Vietnam since Dec. 27, 1972, whose remains were identified in 2023 and buried Nov. 11, 2023. The mayor declared Nov. 9, 2023, the day his remains returned, Captain Ralph Jim Chipman Day. The Freedom Tree in Robinson Park, dedicated to him in 1973, is now lit red, white and blue.
Item 3 · Presentation
Council honors departing Council Members Rob Shelton and Kevin Barnes
No action
The mayor listed accomplishments during their eight-year tenure, including a AA- bond rating, TOD master planning, Fire Station 52, secondary water metering through grants, the PARC tax, the Art Dye Sports Complex, three new parks and 30 acres secured for a regional park on the south side. Shelton said he did not run for re-election and passed advice to incoming members Ernie John and Tim Holley.
Item 5 · Presentation
City administrator's report: park playgrounds and Art Dye bathroom
No action
David Bunker said playgrounds funded at three parks were being installed and a new bathroom was under construction at Art Dye Park.
Item CC 4-6 · Development
Release of developer guarantees: Rockwell Ranch, Millpond Apartments, Kelton Apartments
Approved · 5-0
Consent agenda released a $6,597.80 durability retainer for Rockwell Ranch Block 1 Phase 2 landscaping (1032 W. 430 South), a $36,595.15 durability retainer for Millpond Apartments (79 N. 1020 West), and a $1,161,480.76 construction guarantee with notice of acceptance for Kelton Apartments (Neighborly Ventures) public improvements at 1000 W. 300 South.
- Payment$6,598 to Rockwell Ranch Block 1 Phase 2
- Payment$36,595 to Millpond Apartments
- Payment$1.16 million to Neighborly Ventures (Kelton Apartments)
Item CC 7-8 · Contract
Easement from Dorian Topham; Doug Smith Subaru naming rights for Art Dye Dog Park
Approved · 5-0
Consent agenda accepted an easement along 185 S. 100 West and approved an amended naming-rights agreement with Doug Smith Subaru for the Art Dye Dog Park starting Jan. 1, 2024. Dollar terms were not stated in the minutes.
- ContractAmount not given to Doug Smith Subaru
Item CC 9 · Budget
Ratification of payments Nov. 21-Dec. 5 and purchases over $50,000
Approved · 5-0
Routine ratification on the consent agenda; individual purchases were not itemized in the minutes.
Item A1 · Development
Conditional use for outdoor storage, Deer Park subdivision (Border States Electric), 51 W. 1100 South
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Outdoor storage yard in the PI-1 zone with a cross-access easement through the existing parking lot to the east. The applicant proposed an 8-foot fence topped with 1 foot of barbed wire; Development Services Director Patrick O'Brien said code allows 8-foot commercial fences but is silent on barbed wire, which would need to be addressed. Subject to conditions from the Dec. 6, 2023 planning commission meeting.
Item A2a · Subdivision
Final plat, Deer Park - Border States Electric Storage Yard, 4.03 acres
Approved with conditions · 5-0
Final plat of about 4.03 acres in the PI-1 Planned Industrial zone, recording withheld pending planning commission conditions.
- Acres: 4.03
- Zone: PI-1
Item A3 · Taxes and fees
TSSD impact fee and sewer user fee increases
Approved · 5-0
Resolution 2023-12-45R amends the fee schedule to pass through Timpanogos Special Service District impact and user fee revisions. Shelton said he had hoped increases would be phased rather than a 40% step at once; City Administrator David Bunker said TSSD needs revenue for ten years of projects, some not payable by impact fees, and will bond for them while keeping some cash reserves. Projects include a large lift station on TSSD property near the Boat Harbor and a proposed indoor composting operation needing an adjacent city's approval. Staff will separate storm drain fees in the chart.
- FeeAmount not given to Timpanogos Special Service District
- Increase: about 40% (per Council Member Shelton)
- Resolution 2023-12-45R
Item A4 · Parks
$2 million state grant for Boat Harbor improvements
Approved · 5-0
Contract with the Utah Department of Natural Resources accepting grant funds for American Fork Boat Harbor improvements. Council Member Staci Carroll noted the packet said $1.8 million; Community Services Director Derric Rykert said an additional grant after the summary brought the total to $2 million.
- Grant$2.00 million to Utah Department of Natural Resources
- Grant: $2,000,000 (packet summary said $1.8 million before an added grant)
Item A5 · Other
Flagpole policy along public thoroughfares
Approved · 5-0
Resolution 2023-12-46R adopts a policy for flagpoles along public streets.
Item A6 · City code
Accessory building size and approval code amendment (17.5.105)
Tabled · 3-2
The amendment would move accessory building approval from the planning commission to the building official. Staff preferred the draft sent to the planning commission, which gave criteria such as 'undue negative impact'; the commission's version differed after a sharp split. Shelton, who originated the change, said residents complain about going to the planning commission and that setbacks belong in zone rules; legal counsel Cherylyn Egner said materials rules must stay, for example to restrict shipping containers. Council Member Ryan Hunter moved to table and take it to a January work session.
Item A7 · Public safety
Utah County mutual aid agreement for fire, EMS and emergency services
Approved · 5-0
Resolution 2023-12-47R approves the multi-jurisdictional mutual aid agreement among Utah County governments. Police Lt. Stuart Fore said police already routinely help neighboring cities under a Major Crimes Task Force agreement.
Item A8 · Public safety
Cedar Hills public safety service agreement amendment
Withdrawn
Pulled from the agenda.
Item A9 · Other
2024 council meeting schedule
Approved · 5-0
Ordinance 2023-12-48 sets 2024 meeting dates, times and place.
Item A10 · Other
Closed session on sale or lease of real estate
No action · 5-0
The council met in closed session from 9:11 to 10:27 p.m. to discuss the sale and/or lease of property; no action reported.
What residents said
No one spoke during public comment. Susan Richards, Capt. Chipman's widow, thanked the city during the HERO Award presentation.