Lehi council approves up to $64 million in bonds for a city fiber network
December 8, 2020, 5:30 p.m. · Council Chamber, 153 N. 100 E., Lehi
The Lehi City Council voted 5-0 to authorize up to $64 million in revenue bonds to build a city fiber network and also approved a solar power purchase, two zone changes, several subdivisions and a ban on targeted residential picketing (4-1). It tabled the Pioneer Heights subdivision and an ADU-above-garage code change.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2.1 · Presentation
Ranked choice voting discussion (pre-council)
Discussed
Management Analyst Shaye Ruitenbeek explained how ranked choice voting tallies ballots, including the extra cycles in a multi-seat race. City Administrator Jason Walker said the evening's vote would only keep the conversation going and would not commit Lehi to a ranked choice election. Council Member Katie Koivisto said she wanted to understand it better and had not decided. A resident spoke in favor.
Item 4 (pre-council) · Roads and utilities
FEMA grant for booster pump stations at well sites (administrative report)
No action
Public Works Director Dave Norman told the council of a FEMA emergency-preparedness grant that would help pay for booster pump stations at the well sites so the water system can keep running in a prolonged power outage. The grant would require a city match. The council reached consensus for staff to apply, with the city free to back out later.
Item 2 (regular) · Other
Citizen input: ranked choice voting, mayor's pay, parks and trails
Discussed
Mac Sims supported ranked choice voting but said a primary may still be needed to vet candidates. Rob Ludlow asked the city to benchmark the mayor's salary against similar cities. The council agreed staff should do so; Council Member Koivisto dissented, saying it was not worth staff time and she sees the post as service. Ben Thompson raised the lack of parks and trails.
Item 4 (regular) · Budget
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year 2020
Approved · 5-0
Treasurer Alyson Alger and auditor Dana Howell presented the audit findings. The council then accepted the report.
Item 5 · Contract
Resolution 2020-77: up to $64 million in revenue bonds for a city fiber network
Approved · 5-0
The resolution authorizes bonds of not more than $64,000,000 (total estimated cost $90,537,000 over the life of the bonds, per bond counsel) to engineer and build a city fiber network. Mayor Mark Johnson said the effort followed two years of study and a consultant analysis. Finance Director Dean Lundell and Mr. Walker said the bonds are meant to be repaid from user fees, with franchise fees pledged only to secure a better rating and rate. A parameters resolution lets designated officers finalize the sale within set limits; the required public hearing was set for Jan. 12. Mac Sims urged the city to provide infrastructure for many private providers rather than compete. Council Member Chris Condie asked about effects on future bonding for parks and a fire station and was told the structure leaves room. Council Member Koivisto said the network serves residents and creates a competitive market.
- Bond$64.0 million
Item 6 · Budget
Fiscal year 2021 budget amendment (Resolution 2020-76)
Approved · 5-0
After a public hearing with no comments, the council amended the current budget.
Item 7 · Contract
Resolution 2020-79: Steel Solar Project power purchase through UAMPS
Approved · 5-0
Power Director Joel Eves said the Box Elder County solar project would sell power at $31.45 per megawatt-hour under a 25-year term, and that the purchase includes a scholarship program for seniors in UAMPS communities. A UAMPS representative reviewed current and upcoming resources and said peaking capacity is a concern as the city grows. Mr. Eves answered a question from Council Member Condie about why city-owned generators are needed even when idle, citing summer market prices near $1,000 versus about $35 for internal generation.
- PurchaseAmount not given to Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS)
Item 8 · Zoning
Baum zone change, 2655 N. Center Street (Ordinance 65-2020)
Approved · 5-0
Rezoned 1.3 acres from A-1 (agriculture) to RA-1 (residential/agriculture). Josh Baum was the applicant.
- Applicant: Josh Baum
- Acres: 1.3
- Zone: A-1 to RA-1
Item 11 · City code
Ordinance 66-2020: accessory dwelling units above garages on lots over half an acre
Tabled · 5-0
Applicants Robert and Diane Myers asked that a unit be allowed above or beside the garage. Mayor Johnson worried the wording could allow an additional house on a lot and wanted to avoid unintended consequences. Community Development Director Kim Struthers suggested capping the unit as a share of the garage space; a conditional use was also discussed. City Attorney Ryan Wood advised tabling for staff to redraft. The council tabled it and directed staff to study percentages, infrastructure demand and side-of-garage units.
Item 12 · Subdivision
Pioneer Heights preliminary subdivision, 45 lots, about 1452 W. 900 North
Tabled · 5-0
Developer Danny Gutierrez asked for a 95-foot-frontage exception or a flag lot so he could shift a stub road to give a neighboring landowner access. Mayor Johnson preferred compliant lots and a connection for neighbors' future development rather than a development agreement. Council Member Condie said the developer was already better off because of an earlier zone change and was uncomfortable landlocking a neighbor. Neighbors raised stub-road access, groundwater, irrigation tail water and an incorrectly recorded water easement, which Mr. Struthers said the city would correct. Council Member Koivisto asked for more thorough percolation testing in a drought year. The council tabled the plan so the developer could work out the stub roads with neighbors on both sides, address water issues, and fix the easement.
- Applicant: Danny Gutierrez
- Lots: 45
Item 9 · Development
Fox Canyon Area J1 concept plan, 97 multifamily lots, about 5300 N. Fox Canyon Road
Approved · 5-0
Concept plan approval for a 97-lot multifamily development in the Traverse Mountain planned community, with development review and planning commission comments.
- Lots: 97
Item 10 · Development
Fox Canyon Areas A1 and I1 concept plan, 43 single-family lots, about 5400 N. Fox Canyon Road
Approved · 5-0
Concept plan approval for a 43-lot single-family development in the Traverse Mountain planned community, with development review and planning commission comments.
- Lots: 43
Item 13 · Zoning
Taylor Meadows North zone change, 16.8 acres at 600 W. 1300 South (Ordinance 67-2020)
Approved · 5-0
Rezoned 16.8 acres from R-1-22 (residential/agriculture) to R-1-15 (residential), including planning commission and review comments.
- Acres: 16.8
- Zone: R-1-22 to R-1-15
Item 14 · Subdivision
Gardner Point Phase 1 preliminary subdivision, 222 units, about 3600 W. 1500 North
Approved · 5-0
Preliminary approval for a 222-unit residential development by Edge Homes.
- Applicant: Edge Homes
- Units: 222
Item 15 · Subdivision
Timp Point Phase 1 final subdivision, 60 units, about 3350 W. 2100 North
Approved · 5-0
Final approval for a 60-unit residential development.
- Units: 60
Item 16 · Subdivision
Cold Spring Ranch LD1 preliminary subdivision, 54 single-family units, about 3300 W. Allred Drive
Approved · 5-0
Preliminary approval for 54 single-family units in a planned community zone.
- Units: 54
Item 17 · Subdivision
Seasons Estates Plat C, 4356 N. Summer View Drive
Approved · 5-0
Plat amendment combining lots 208 and 209 of Seasons Estates Plat B.
Item 18 · City code
Ordinance 68-2020: accessory dwelling units, short-term rentals and home occupations
Approved · 5-0
Code amendments to Chapters 12, 20 and 26 clarifying how accessory dwelling units, short-term rentals and home occupations interact in a single residence.
Item 19 · City code
Ordinance 69-2020: process for R-1-10 or R-1-8 rezoning
Approved · 5-0
Chapter 5 amendment clarifying the process for zoning or rezoning property to R-1-10 or R-1-8.
Item 20 · City code
Ordinance 70-2020: caretaker dwelling units
Approved · 5-0
Amendments to Tables 05-030-B and 05-030-C clarifying the caretaker dwelling unit.
Item 21 · City code
Ordinance 64-2020: targeted residential picketing
Approved · 4-1
The ordinance adds Title 6, Chapter 8 to city code, restricting targeted picketing at residences (the discussion referred to a 100-foot distance). Council Member Koivisto said it curtails constitutional rights, that police can be called if a driveway is blocked, and that protest should be peaceful but protected. Mayor Johnson said that without it people may keep pushing limits on private space. Council Members Paul Hancock and Paige Albrecht said residents have a right to feel safe at home and that the city attorney drafted it to withstand a constitutional challenge; Council Member Mike Southwick said people can still protest.
Item 22 · Contract
Resolution 2020-75: FX Construction agreement for two water tanks and a booster pump station
Approved · 5-0
Approved an agreement with FX Construction to build two water tanks and a booster pump station. The minutes do not give the amount.
- ContractAmount not given to FX Construction
Item 23 · Parks
Resolution 2020-78: Dry Creek Reservoir improvements agreement
Approved · 5-0
Authorized the mayor to sign an agreement for Dry Creek Reservoir improvements recommended by the Utah County Tourism Tax Advisory Board. Mayor Johnson said it will bring over half a million dollars in park amenities.
- GrantAmount not given to Utah County Tourism Tax Advisory Board
Item 24 · Other
Resolution 2020-80: request to join the state's alternate voting methods pilot
Approved · 5-0
The resolution asks the state to include Lehi in the Municipal Alternate Voting Methods Pilot Project, which notifies the state that Lehi is considering ranked choice voting. Speakers split: Wayne Woodfield supported it, citing a voice for second and third choices, while Wendy Hart said unknown candidates need a primary and that multi-seat races work poorly. The council said it wants to keep learning, and Council Member Hancock asked how many ballots in the last election had only one vote.
Item 25 · Contract
Resolution 2020-81: Probst Electric agreement for Sports Park lighting
Approved · 5-0
Approved an agreement with Probst Electric for Sports Park lighting. The minutes do not give the amount.
- ContractAmount not given to Probst Electric
Item 26 · Contract
Resolution 2020-82: underwriter engagement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company
Approved · 5-0
Approved the underwriter engagement agreement with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc. for the bond sale.
- ContractAmount not given to Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc.
What residents said
Ranked choice votingMayor's salaryParks and trailsGroundwater and irrigation tail waterStub road access
Residents spoke on ranked choice voting, the mayor's compensation and the need for more parks and trails. Neighbors of Pioneer Heights raised stub-road access, groundwater, tail water and a recording error in a water easement.