Council & a Free-for-All
by kathy bence
“Harvest Moon” by Brad Langston
Back in the day, we used to get our news from the newspaper, radio, or television. We went to a separate opinion or editorial source that was clearly labeled. Of course, the news source often hid their opinions under the title of news.
Today, most of us hear or see the news through social media, podcasts, or some other medium. News and opinions are mixed together, but at least we know that we are getting both.
The Toquerville Sentinel often shares opinions along with reports. Additional opinions are always welcome.
Election Results
From Washington County Election Results 2025
While not related to the Nov 5 council meeting, election results are definitely related to the city. The election results will be certified at a City Council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18.
I found it interesting that Wayne Olsen, the most vocal council member considering the wishes of residents over developers, received the most votes in his competition with three other candidates.
To those who are leaving city service, thank you for your years of service. I suspect the job has often been thankless, especially considering the amount of reading and effort required. Although nothing is official as of now, we welcome the new members of the City Council.
City Department Reports
Hurricane Valley Fire District
Robert Hooper said “there’s a house down the street” from the city offices that has been used by the firefighters. It’s actually been set on fire several times, but don’t panic, it’s just practice.
The Mayor said the district got .33 percent of the sales tax for EMS services. That should help our property taxes. However, as shared previously on the Sentinel, a much better solution would be for the state to allow the Transient Room Tax to cover this expense. It was described in this post by Michelle Peot. Maybe someday.
Public works
JD Adams spoke of damage in Trail Ridge from flooding. They are looking at flood effected areas of the city and ways to mitigate those problems for the next time.
He spoke of some damage done to pavilions and screens at Westfield Park from kids throwing rocks. There will be cameras installed soon, so kids, we’ll know who you are!
The city has a commercial leaf vacuum. If residents blow their leaves into the street, the leaves are picked up on Wednesday mornings. This service will be offered until about mid-December.
Planning and Zoning
Emily Teeters said some large applications came for review by the Planning Commission. One is Maverick’s preliminary site plan for Boulder Ridge. Also, for review will be a master plan development overlay (MPDO) for Silver Cliffs Summit.
Election results will be certified on Nov. 18, a Tuesday. The usual Wednesday council meeting will be moved to Tuesday.
Assistant City Manager
Darrin LeFevre usually has plenty of pictures or drone shots during his comments. It was nice to be there in person because he didn’t disappoint. He shared photos of flood damage to the Trail Ridge park and other areas.
Darrin also reported on the bypass. They are finishing the k-rail on the south side of the road. The asphalt should be finished soon. Painted striping should be complete by next Wed, Nov 12. Signs will be added to the road also.
City Manager
Ben Billingsly encouraged everyone to visit the city’s website to view the public safety incident reports. These are being updated to keep resident informed. You can see law enforcement trends based on neighborhoods.
He also reported on the financial and strategic plan updates. He covered a lot of details and I’ll confess, I’m not sure what is most important. You can listen to his report here. I thought it was interesting that building permit fees are falling slightly under budget. There are fewer and the cost of the permit is down slightly.
toquerville Royalty
Toquerville City royalty was introduced. Presley Carshner is Miss Toquerville. Miley Jones is 1st attendant. McKenzie Higby is 2nd attendant. Hayden Cockren is 3rd attendant. They will represent the city well.
Business
Intersection and Driveway Approaches
This was about clarifying minimum distance requirements between intersections and driveway approaches. The purpose seemed to be making the city align with UDOT’s rules about the centerline of the parkway to centerline of near drive approach that will apply to businesses off the parkway. It will not be retroactive but will apply to new building. It passed.
Westfield Park Completion Plan
The discussion can be heard here about Westfield park. It is 25% complete and they’re trying to do the work on a shoestring, with public works doing a lot of the work themselves. However, they can’t do the concrete and pickle ball courts so they are comparing quotes.
Councilman Wayne Olsen said he felt there was a grading problem and it was being assembled out of order. He questioned why the pavilions went in before the concrete slabs and there was a long discussion on this matter with many differing opinions.
The council passed and authorized an alternative procurement process for the Westfield Park completion project. It is based upon negotiating with the contractor deemed most responsive from the three written quotes that they’ve received.
Reconsider Westfield Road Access
This discussion, heard here, was a motion on whether to reconsider this. Wayne Olsen wanted to know how much money was involved before it was reconsidered. But rules didn’t allow that. This passed.
Westfield connector road Access…a Free for All!
Rules are rules and since it passed above, now it could be discussed. The discussion can be heard here. This item reconsidered the Westfield temporary easement to the bypass. There were questions around whether to accept a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Toquerville to take over this road. Should it be opened for emergencies only? Would the emergency services feel unsafe using it? How should it be used? What is the liability for this unpaved, unfinished road?
Councilman Todd Sands asked why the city has allowed development in so many places where there is only one exit. The answer was that most of them were grandfathered in from long ago. Next question, why does it matter right now since it’s been closed for 20 years? The answer seemed to be that the developer used the road and now the bypass is within sight.
Todd pointed out that we don’t uniformly do these things. We don’t enforce development agreements, and we sometimes put locks on gates to use for emergencies but not for evacuation purposes. This topic is sounding familiar.
Those who are currently using the road are trespassing on Firelight’s land. It was suggested that maybe nothing is done and Firelight will deal with it.
The concluding ideas seemed to be that this is a “free for all”(Todd’s description) and should be left as is. The city doesn’t need to get involved. Firelight put the road there and hasn’t finished it yet. Let the landowner decide what to do with their property. However, the MOU has to be reworked so the motion was tabled.
Anderson Junction Water
This is about a waterline project in Anderson Junction. The discussion can be heard here.
For many years this water system has worked but it is starting to fail and the water is diminishing. Resident Steve Gilbert’s well went dry. He re-drilled deeper and got water. Steve Gilbert is also a contractor who would donate labor to provide the water pipe to provide a better legitimate, metered source of water. The four residents would need to donate part of their road for this project and deed over some water shares.
There will need to be a contract between the residents and contractor. There was some discussion about legal fees. They will decommission the well, and the water district will take over.
A motion passed to authorize the Mayor to work with the city staff and sign contracts with the Washington County Conservancy District and residents. The expenditure amount was not to exceed $20,000.
Highway commercial “anew”
Starting here is the discussion and action regarding “an ordinance adopting/designating anew the highway commercial (HC) zone district for the subject Lichfield property as reflected in the 2024 General Plan.”
The discussion began with explanations by attorney Kayla Gothard and then prepared comments by Councilman Joey Campbell. You can read a detailed post of the case here, my shorter version of the detailed post here, and Brian McNary’s report on last week’s Planning Commission meeting where the ordinance was unanimously denied, here.
(This map was included with the ordinance)
The city attorney explained here, in a few sentences, what city council was considering in this meeting. I’ll confess that I still find it puzzling. I was not alone. Shortly after her comments, Councilman Wayne Olsen asked the questions I was thinking. Councilman Todd Sands continued the same line of questions. Why are we doing this if the property is already HC?
(This map was included with the ordinance)
After a fascinating debate about why this vote to approve something that was already approved was happening, the motion was approved. Wayne and Todd opposed. Chuck, Joey, and Gary voted in favor.
Calendar
Veteran’s Day Cinnamon Rolls – Tuesday, November 11th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Toquerville City Offices.
Toquerville Trails Turkey Trot – Thursday, November 27th.
Christmas Tree Lighting – Monday, December 1st at 6:00 p.m. – Old Town Hall.
Winter Community Clean-Up – Saturday, December 6th to Sunday, December 7th, 2025 – Center Street Park, Westfield Park, TRE Park.
Wreaths Across America – Saturday, December 13th at 10:00 a.m. – Toquerville Cemetery.