Council tables ordinance restoring executive powers from mayor to council after 25-minute public comment; adopts data center sign rules
January 20, 2026, 4:00 p.m. · Eagle Mountain City Council Chambers, 1650 E Stagecoach Run, Eagle Mountain, Utah
The council tabled a proposed repeal and replacement of the code section on the mayor's powers and duties, which Council Members Rich Wood and Brett Wright had placed on the agenda to restore executive powers to the council, after 12 people spoke. It also tabled a broader rewrite of Title 2 and a slope development ordinance, and adopted off-premises directional sign rules for data centers and large projects. Zachory Huish sat as a council member.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1.A · Other
Justice Court options (work session)
Discussed
Presenter Jim Peters covered statutory requirements, oversight, operating standards, feasibility, caseload and finances of a potential justice court.
Item 1.B · Development
Project Aquila: behind-the-meter energy project for Meta (work session)
Discussed
Williams presented a behind-the-meter generation project in the RTI overlay zone, with discussion of noise, wall heights, setbacks and aesthetics. Economic Development Director Abby Ivory gave background and the staff recommendation.
- Applicant: Williams
Item 1.C · City code
Street renaming and addressing code (work session)
Discussed
Planner David Stroud said the code lacks renaming procedures and asked for direction on procedures, criteria and timeframes.
Item 10-12 · Other
Consent agenda: bond releases and minutes
Approved · 5-0
Bond releases for Scarlet Ridge Phase A Plat 2 and Sunset Flats Phase A Plat 3 (into warranty), and minutes, with a spelling correction.
Item 13.A · City code
Off-premises directional signs for data centers and large projects, MC 17.80.080
Approved · 5-0
Planner Steven Lehmitz presented revisions requested in the work session on signage standards, placement and removal timeline. No one spoke.
Item 13.B · City code
Slope development, MC 15.80, 17.10, 17.25 and 17.100
Tabled · 5-0
Senior Planner Robert Hobbs proposed a new definition and reformatting, and that properties with slopes over 25% 'shall not be graded or altered.' No one spoke. The council tabled it and directed staff to refine it.
Item 13.C · City code
Powers and duties of the mayor, repeal and replace MC 2.10
Tabled · 5-0
Council Members Rich Wood and Brett Wright presented an ordinance to restore executive powers to the council, clarify mayoral duties, set a shared schedule and address compensation. City Attorney Marcus Draper provided legal clarification and City Manager Ben Reeves expressed concerns. The council first tabled it to take public comment; public comment ran 8:28 to 8:53 p.m. with 12 speakers addressing the ordinance. It then tabled the ordinance 5-0, with Mayor Gray also voting no.
Item 13.D · City code
Repeal and replace various provisions of Title 2, city governance
Tabled · 5-0
No discussion is recorded. The council tabled the ordinance; the minutes record all six votes, including the mayor's, in favor.
Item 14.A · Other
Community enhancement board (city manager discussion)
Discussed
Reeves offered suggestions on city boards and committees and asked for direction, including on a possible RAP tax board.
Item 15.A · Other
Legislative priorities list
Discussed
Evan Berrett reported that one-page summaries were distributed to state legislators and asked members for additional items; John Magness will provide ongoing updates.
What residents said
Executive powers of the mayor and council
Three people spoke on general topics early in the meeting and 12 spoke on the mayor-powers ordinance.