March 27, 2024 | General Meeting

Voting

• 4-0 approving amendments to the City's water rates (including a price increase for end users)
• 4-0 approving the Consent Agenda, which includes the following:
• February 2024 monthly financial summary
• Corridor preservation funding agreements with Salt Lake County to acquire right-of-way for 12600 South and 6400 West
• Re-appointment of Planning Commission members Andy Powell, Brody Rypien, and Jackson Ferguson for three-year terms
• February 28 and March 13 City Council meeting minutes
• 4-0 approving a new policy establishing which items go to work meetings versus general meetings
• 4-0 approving an impact fee agreement with Mountainview Plaza
• 4-0 approving a purchase agreement for right-of-way for 7300 West

General Meeting

Public comments

• A group of residents expressed concern over a notice of encroachment they received from the City, saying that years ago, City officials had granted verbal approval for them to landscape on City property. The City Council will visit the site and discuss the issue further later. 

Water rates update (public hearing)

A recent water rate study performed by a consultant recommended a variety of changes to the City's water rate structure, including an increase to prices paid by end users (residents and businesses). Other recommendations include a reorganization of pricing tiers and various other simplifications or updates. Rates for residents will increase annually to help offset rapidly rising costs of delivering water, which is a situation that is not unique to Herriman. However, Herriman City's water rates are in immediate need of changing as the City has been using reserve funding to pay for operating costs.

Annual water rate increases approved by the City Council:

• Oct 1, 2024: 16.3%
• July 1, 2025: 13.0%
• July 1, 2026: 13.0%
• July 1, 2027: 7.0%
• July 1, 2028: 3.0%

Sample of how much rates will go up for various customers:

• Full presentation PDF

7300 West right-of-way purchase

The City Council approved a purchase agreement for property to be used to extend 7300 West from 13000 South to 12600 South. Half the cost ($1.5M) is being initially paid by the City and then reimbursed by Salt Lake County with Corridor Preservation Funds. The other half is being donated by the landowner. This road extension is expected to be constructed next year using state funding alongside UDOT's construction of 12600 South's extension to 7300 West.

Work meeting vs. general meeting policy

The City has had a long practice of bringing all items to the Council at a work meeting prior to presenting it at Council for formal action. As the City has grown, that has added delays to items that the Council could simply consider at a regular meeting. Additionally, it has shifted some of the debate from the regular meeting to work meetings. While both are open meetings, work meetings have very limited public participation. This policy defines which items should appear in work vs. general meetings and directs many items to the general meeting that previously have been in work meetings.

Mountainview Plaza impact fee agreement

Mountainview Plaza is a commercial development along Herriman Main Street north of 12600 South, and is under construction for its first phase. Typically, developers are required to build roads near their projects and pay the City transportation impact fees. Those impact fees are then reimbursed to the developer for eligible roads. However, for the Mountainview Plaza Project, the developer is coordinating directly with the Auto Mall to fund and construct the necessary roads. This arrangement is unique because the area is part of a Public Infrastructure District (PID), which is exempt from impact fees. This means the developer and the Auto Mall are sharing the costs of road construction. The cost of building the road ($550,000) is about equal to what the City would have reimbursed in impact fees.

City Council board and committee reports

• Councilmember Hodges, representing the South Valley Sewer District board, reported a possible name change for the district, a reimbursement agreement with the South Hills developer, and a recent audit committee meeting.
• Councilmember Ohrn, representing the Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District board, noted a recent meeting in which Momentum (glass recycling company) is growing and expanding. She expressed optimism that in time, glass recycling services may eventually expand to our borders.
• Councilmember Shields, representing the Mosquito Abatement District board, said that residents concerned about mosquito populations on their property may request help from the district and they will come on-site and evaluate the situation and help mitigate issues.
• Councilmember Shields commented on the Blackridge parking fee implementation, echoing the Council's sentiment that there are no perfect solutions. He encouraged residents to make an effort to be involved and engage with their elected officials. Councilmember Ohrn echoed Councilmember Shields' comments.

Work Meeting

Chamber of Commerce discussion

Herriman City has historically participated in the Mountain West Chamber of Commerce. There have been recent informal discussions about whether Herriman City would be instead interested in joining the South Valley Chamber of Commerce, which includes a larger geographical region but at a higher cost. Representatives from both chambers presented to the City Council information about their organization, benefits, and operation.

Department budget requests: Community Development

As part of the budget drafting process, the Council is discussing the budget requests for City departments. In this meeting, they reviewed the Community Development department group, which includes the Engineering, GIS, Building, Planning, and Economic Development departments. Each department has proposed increases between 4-13%, except Economic Development is proposing a 20% decrease. However, one additional Engineering staff position is not being recommended for approval as part of an ongoing pause on citywide staff increases.

Video

• Work meeting
• General meeting