July 14, 2021 | General Meeting

Voting

• 5-0 reappointing Adam Jacobson as a member of the Planning Commission for a regular three-year term.
• 5-0 approving the Consent Agenda, which includes the following:
  • Minutes for Apr 28, May 12, May 26, and June 9 City Council meetings
  • Monthly financial summary
  • Resolution creating the Herriman City Fire Service Area
• 3-2 to continue a resolution to establish parameters for a transportation bond
• 3-2 to continue a discussion and potential voting action for a master-planned community zoning tool to the August 11th City Council meeting
• 5-0 adopting the Active Transportation Plan
• 5-0 accepting the Olympia petition for annexation for further consideration
• 5-0 agreeing to the creation of a peninsula caused by Olympia annexation

General Meeting

There were several recognitions in the general meeting, including:

• Herriman High School rugby team, 2021 national champions
• J. Bryant Miller, 2021 parade grand marshal
• Deputy Recorder Wendy Thorpe, UMCA certified municipal clerk presentation

The City Council also verbally commended the following:

• Rhyan White, who will compete as an Olympic athlete on the U.S. swimming team
• The Herriman Arts Council for their recent production of Newsies
• Herriman residents for doing their part to conserve water during the drought conditions 

City Manager oath of office

New Herriman City Manager Nathan Cherpeski was sworn in to his new role. He started with Herriman City in late June 2021 and serves as the chief executive officer for the City.

City Council Board and Committee Reports

Councilmember Ohrn, reporting from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District Board, encouraged residents to maintain conservation habits after the drought subsides. She mentioned educational and incentive programs available, including the Conservation Garden, Flip Your Strip, Utah Water Savers, and more. She also noted a proposed property tax increase from the JVWCD.

Councilmember Smith, reporting from the Transportation Coordinating Committee, noted that TransCom is working to amend its 2021-26 transportation improvement plan. There was additional funding to add projects into that plan, and those projects are ready to launch immediately due to the state legislature appropriating funds. Two such projects include the U-111 realignment west of Herriman ($50 million) and the extension of Mountain View Corridor from Porter Rockwell Road to 2100 North in Utah County ($350 million).

Councilmember Shields, reporting from the Mosquito Abatement District Board, noted there is a species of mosquito that continues to grow despite drought conditions. There is one possible case of West Nile Virus in Salt Lake County. He encouraged the use of bug spray and getting rid of standing water around your property.

Councilmember Shields, reporting from the Association of Municipal Councils, noted a recent association meeting with Natalie Gouchner, head of the Kem C. Gardner Institute. Ms. Gouchner presented that Utah’s economy is doing great compared to other states, and that it is the fastest growing state in the U.S. over the last 10 years. Two thirds of the growth comes from natural population growth, and one third is from incoming population from other states. It was presented that to help housing affordability, all housing types must be constructed, and that there is a misplaced emphasis on multifamily housing. Councilmember Shields noted this is something that Herriman City is very aware of.

Transportation bond

The Council discussed a potential bond of about $11 million to be paid back with funds allocated from the state of about $800k per year for 15 years. The item up for possible action was to create basic parameters for a bond and allow City staff to start the process to search for bond options. A project list was submitted to the state when the City requested funds, which include improvements to Main Street, 6000 West, and 6400 West near the Creek Ridge neighborhood. The Council voted 3-2 to continue the item until the next meeting and requested City staff attach a specific list of projects to the bond parameters.

Master planned community tool

The City has created a Large Project Master Planned Community zoning tool to help address large developments within the City and potential annexation areas. The City Council voted 3-2 to continue the item until the August 11th meeting. The Council directed staff to draft a policy to address required master development agreement proposals to ensure City interests are protected.

SW Salt Lake County Transportation Study

A presentation was given by representatives from the Wasatch Front Regional Council about a recently completed study regarding the current situation and recommendations for transportation in the southwest area of the county. This study is hoped to bring greater awareness to the state legislature of the area’s transportation needs and to present solutions to help support the rapid growth. Findings of the study can be found here.  

Work Meeting

Olympia Working Group Meetings

The City Council asked the City Attorney which key elements were included in the Salt Lake County-approved master development agreement (MDA) that were carried over or scratched in the draft MDA that is being written between Herriman City and the Olympia team. The Council is primarily concerned with ensuring that proposed commercial areas are constructed in conjunction with the residential areas as Olympia develops.

Councilmember Henderson pointed out that in the most recent finance group meeting, public infrastructure districts can be paid back by contract or impact fees. Essentially, a PID is a bond that can pay for public infrastructure up front and be repaid by various funding mechanisms, including development fees (paid by developers, not residents) or a levied property tax (which the City Council has generally been hesitant or opposed to).

The Council agreed that discussions up to this point have been fairly amenable and agreeable with Olympia, but that the hard part comes next as the MDA gets drafted. The Council discussed holding a special work meeting to lay out the City's desires for the MDA.

Discussion video

Water conservation

The City has made a special effort to provide information about water conservation during the drought conditions. Jordan Valley Water has also seen an increase in people reaching out to them for information. Water use within Herriman for the month of April increased from 2020-2021, but decreased when comparing May and June of both years. Overall for April and May, Herriman has seen a 17% reduction in water use, despite new growth. Schools have reduced their usage for the same periods by 55%.

In March, the Parks Department established a list of practices to reduce water usage, including increased audits and reduced watering schedules. One adjustment will be a reduction in the watering of the city hall and unoccupied areas of the cemetery. Overall, the parks have seen a 44% reduction in water use in April/May 2021 as compared to 2020.

Additionally, the K9 Memorial Dog Park is nearing completion and will have sod installed as early as Friday. With the drought condition, the City attempted to have sod installation delayed, but it was not possible. Though it is not ideal during these conditions, it is necessary to water the new sod during daytime hours to ensure the grass does not burn up in extreme temperatures. Most irrigation for the park will occur during the night.

Herriman Towne Center commercial

Herriman City owns four commercial pads, surrounding Crane Park, in the Herriman Towne Center (HTC). These pads are ready for development, with infrastructure and parking in place. Staff has been approached by several business owners interested in opening a business in the Towne Center. The City Council is generally in favor of leasing the land and letting a developer build the structures on the pads. Staff will approach potential builders to gauge interest level in building on the spot. 

Land Development Code Amendments

M-1/M-2

The Council discussed a proposed zoning ordinance to adjust land uses in the existing M-1 manufacturing zone and establishing a new M-2 zone. A few comments were made with a concern about not being restrictive enough. The Council directed staff to re-evaluate the current M-1 permitted use table. Generally the Council would like M-1 to be lighter uses, while M-2 would be more geared toward warehouse, manufacturing, etc. The purpose of the discussion is to make sure incompatible land uses aren't allowed together in the same zone (like a private instruction studio next to a heavy manufacturing center).

Multi-family residential design standards

The Planning Commission recommended a design standard amendment to require 40% brick or stone on all sides of a multi-family housing building rather than only on the side directly facing the street. The City Council is supportive of that change. They would also like to see a change to increase parking standards to allow sufficient parking space for larger cars. Another idea brought up was to require underground parking for high-density complexes where underground makes logical sense. Staff will work on a proposal for underground parking.

Fire Station 103

The City is planning on a new fire station to replace the existing Station 103 located on Main Street/Pioneer Street. Two different site options were discussed—along 5600 West near Toscana Way and at about 12600 S/6000 W. Unified Fire Authority indicated that functionally, the 5600 West location is more advantageous due to lower traffic congestion.

Meeting Video:

• Work Meeting 1
• General Meeting
• Work Meeting 2