Lehi council weighs park spending priorities and PARC tax recommendations in work session
June 7, 2022, 5:04 p.m. · Lehi City Hall, 153 N. 100 E., Lehi
In a work session the council discussed how to spend limited park money, with three members leaning toward Family Park first, heard PARC tax fund recommendations, agreed to pursue a federal COPS police hiring grant and heard a fiber network update. Council Members Chris Condie and Paige Albrecht attended virtually. The minutes are unsigned and have no approval date.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Round-Up stock parade horse drive | Discussed |
| COPS grant for new police officers | Discussed |
| Off-Duty Management partnership | Discussed |
| Fiber network update | Discussed |
| Parks update: Mellor-Rhodes, Family Park and Dry Creek | Discussed |
| PARC tax fund recommendations | Discussed |
| Closed executive session | No action · 5-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 2.a · Other
Round-Up stock parade horse drive
Discussed
John Lewis of the Civic Improvement Association asked to add a horse drive at the start of the stock parade for the 85th Round-Up Rodeo, similar to the long-horn cattle drive at the 75th. He said the group believes it is safe and is insured, and wanted the council to know in advance.
Item 2.b · Public safety
COPS grant for new police officers
Discussed
Police Chief Darren Paul said the federal grant covers salary and benefits for three years but not equipment, so a budget amendment would be needed if it is awarded. The council reached consensus to go ahead with the application.
- GrantAmount not given to U.S. Department of Justice COPS program
Item 2.c · Public safety
Off-Duty Management partnership
Discussed
Police staff described using Off-Duty Management, a private company, to schedule officers for events such as those at Thanksgiving Point. An officer now manages that scheduling; the company would take it over and free up personnel.
Item 2.d · Roads and utilities
Fiber network update
Discussed
Shaye Ruitenbeek gave the timeline for the city fiber project. Crews are working on the backbone and design, a preregistration link is planned to help decide where construction starts, and a Q&A is being prepared for the website. Connections are expected to begin by spring 2023.
Item 2.e · Parks
Parks update: Mellor-Rhodes, Family Park and Dry Creek
Discussed
Parks Manager Steve Marchbanks said the latest bids put Mellor-Rhodes Park at about $34 million, not including about $5 million of infill dirt, which could be added gradually to save money. Council Member Katie Koivisto favored waiting on Mellor-Rhodes and putting Family Park first, noting that water to fill the Dry Creek reservoir is uncertain; City Engineer Lorin Powell said the reservoir needs testing and the Dry Creek grant money would be lost, though other grants could be sought. Council Members Paul Hancock and Mike Southwick supported using as much money as possible now on Family Park while infill and testing are pending, and Hancock asked for Family Park's engineering design and phasing. Council Member Chris Condie said he was frustrated to learn the Dry Creek reservoir was built mainly for flood control, and that $5 million had been budgeted for Mellor-Rhodes if the PARC tax passed. The mayor proposed a call for about 100,000 cubic yards of fill dirt. The 2023 budget holds $7 million for an all-abilities park and $10 million for parks projects. Members noted 600 East must be completed for Family Park.
- Budget$34.0 million
- Budget$7.00 million
- Budget$10.0 million
Item 2.f · Parks
PARC tax fund recommendations
Discussed
PARC Committee Chair Nicole Kunze presented the committee's findings. McKay Christensen and Brent Lange spoke in favor of funds for Thanksgiving Point, Alan Knight said he would prefer funds be spent rather than rolled over, and Laura Bangeter supported funding for the archives. Final recommendations were to be voted on at a later meeting.
Item 3 · Other
Closed executive session
No action · 5-0
The council voted unanimously to go into a closed session to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. No action was recorded.
What residents said
Park funding prioritiesDry Creek reservoir waterMellor-Rhodes fill dirtPARC tax allocations
Several people spoke during the PARC item: McKay Christensen and Brent Lange favored funds for Thanksgiving Point, Alan Knight preferred funds be spent rather than rolled over, and Laura Bangeter supported archives funding.