Hey Eagle Mountain. Colten here.
This issue has got a lot to cover, especially with what’s going on at City Hall. Here’s what’s happening.
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UTILITY BOX
☀️ This week's weather:
Thu 7/9 ⛅ Mostly Sunny, 94°/62°
Fri 7/10 ☀️ Mostly Sunny, 100°/64°
Sat 7/11 ☀️ Sunny, 104°/68°
Sun 7/12 ☀️ Mostly Sunny, 104°/71°
🌡️ Heat advisory: Friday through Sunday all bring highs of 100°F or higher. Drink water throughout the day, limit strenuous outdoor activity during peak afternoon heat, and check on elderly neighbors or those without air conditioning.
🌿 Lawn watering: The city is asking residents, especially those in the affected pressure zone, to follow a temporary odd/even watering schedule this week. See Civic Highlights below for details.
🌬️ Air quality: Conditions remain good to moderate as of Thursday, July 9, with no smoke impact reaching Eagle Mountain. Monitor air quality here.
CIVIC HIGHLIGHTS
Water main break floods a North Ranch home
A water main broke overnight Monday into Tuesday, flooding a home in the North Ranch neighborhood. This is a separate issue from the water conservation request already underway elsewhere in the city. City crews responded overnight, repaired the line, and restored service by morning. Cleanup is still underway for the family whose home was affected.
If you're a North Ranch neighbor and know of a way to lend a hand, I'd encourage you to reach out directly. And if you have ideas for how the community could help, feel free to reply to this email. I'm happy to help point people in the right direction.
Water conservation update: a temporary odd/even schedule is requested
The city's water conservation request has an update. Repairs to the affected water source are progressing, and the immediate risk of water pressure dropping below critical levels has been reduced, but the source isn't yet back to full capacity. Until repairs are complete, the city is asking residents, especially those in the affected pressure zone, to follow a temporary schedule: homes with odd-numbered addresses should irrigate on odd-numbered days, and even-numbered addresses on even-numbered days. Residents are also encouraged to shorten irrigation cycles and hold off on non-essential outdoor water use, like washing cars or filling pools, where possible. The city says continued cooperation reduces the chance that more restrictive, mandatory measures become necessary later.
And a nice note on this: the Mayor said he was genuinely impressed by how quickly and widely residents responded to the water conservation request, cutting back on outdoor watering to help the city avoid a boil water notice. I know it's easy to only see complaints in local online groups, but I like sharing moments like this too.
City Council recap: what passed, what was tabled, and what's next
The City Council met Tuesday, July 7, and worked through a packed agenda. Here's how things turned out.
Power plant zoning (the Alternative Energy Overlay Zone): This is the rule that would allow certain types of power plants, including small nuclear reactors, to be built in approved locations in the city. It passed, 4-1, with one change: appeals under this rule will now go to the City Council directly instead of being handled administratively. Council Member Wood cast the only "no" vote, saying the rule wasn't specific enough to protect residents. The rest of the Council agreed his concerns are worth addressing further. What this means: city staff now have official guidelines to follow if a developer proposes a power generation project. It doesn't approve any specific project or site, it just sets the process for reviewing one if it comes up.
Senior housing zoning: This rule was meant to encourage more senior housing to be built in the city. It was tabled, 5-0, meaning it's going back for more work rather than being decided now. What this means: nothing changes yet. No new rule exists until the Council revisits this in a future work session.
Future city growth (the Annexation Policy Plan): This is the plan listing areas outside city limits the city could consider adding in the future. It passed, 5-0. No public comments were submitted on this one before the vote. What this means: the city now has an official framework for evaluating future annexation requests. It doesn't mean any annexation is actually happening, it just gives the city a guide to use if that's ever proposed.
A few other items from the same meeting:
The Council approved new rules for recreation buildings built next to religious or cultural meeting halls, updated rules for political and temporary yard signs, and new limits on parking trailers and unlicensed vehicles in residential areas. All three passed 5-0, with some changes made to the signs and parking rules before the vote. What this means: these give the city clear, consistent standards to enforce going forward, most notably the parking rule, which could mean stricter enforcement on trailers and unlicensed vehicles parked in residential neighborhoods.
The Council voted 4-1 (Wood dissenting) to move forward with a study on slowing down traffic at several locations around the city, using money already set aside for that purpose. What this means: this is a required first step before the city could install any new speed bumps, signals, or other traffic-calming measures, not a decision to build anything yet.
In a newer story not covered in Monday's preview, the Council denied a request to extend an existing development agreement for a project called Eagle Quest East, after concerns that the agreement hadn't led to real progress. That vote was 5-0. What this means: the current agreement won't be extended as-is, so the city and the landowner will likely need to negotiate new terms before this stalled project moves forward.
Mayor Gray wins the Rotary Club of Lehi's Mayor's Cup
Mayor Gray was recognized with the Rotary Club of Lehi Mayor’s Cup Award at a recent golf tournament, a friendly fundraiser used to raise money for community causes such as scholarships, local food pantries, and educational programs.
For readers who aren't familiar, Rotary is a global service organization with more than 1.2 million members, built around the motto “Service Above Self.” Local clubs, made up of business owners, professionals, and other community members, take on hands-on service projects close to home—things like scholarships, youth programs, and local partnerships—while also supporting larger international efforts. Rotary’s most widely known global project is its decades‑long effort to help eradicate polio worldwide. The Rotary Club of Lehi serves Lehi, Eagle Mountain, and nearby communities including Saratoga Springs, Highland, Alpine, and American Fork.
The City Council with members of the Lehi Rotary Club at City Hall in Eagle Mountain, UT, presenting the Rotary Club of Lehi Mayor’s Cup Award.
Eagle Mountain officially becomes a “Believer City”
The City Council officially declared Eagle Mountain a “Believer City,” recognizing a story that’s been unfolding on the city’s streets for years. Resident Ben Lyne, known locally as “Runner Guy with a Sign,” has spent years jogging through Eagle Mountain holding a handmade sign that reads “I BELIEVE IN YOU,” offering a small, unexpected moment of encouragement to whoever happens to drive by.
What started as a solo habit has grown into something bigger. In 2025, Lyne organized a Guinness World Record attempt for the longest line of people holding motivational signs, drawing more than 1,000 residents to line Pony Express Parkway between Cedar Valley High School and Frontier Middle School. Lyne spoke to the Council before Tuesday’s proclamation, which formally recognizes his Show Me A Sign initiative and the city’s support for it. Residents can learn more or get involved at showmeasign.org.
Mr. and Mrs. Lyne and the City Council presenting the official “Believer City” plaque at City Hall in Eagle Mountain, UT.
Property tax: the countdown to August 6 continues
Public comment on the proposed 220.88% property tax increase remains open ahead of the August 6 Truth-in-Taxation hearing. If you missed my full breakdown, you can read it here.
CDBG public comment period continues
CDBG stands for Community Development Block Grant, a federal program run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Cities like Eagle Mountain receive an annual allocation to spend on things like housing, infrastructure, and community services, mostly aimed at benefiting lower and moderate income residents. The city's public comment period for its $466,979 allocation remains open through August 4. Details and the proposed allocation are here.
LOCAL SPOTLIGHT:
SUNRISE SPEECH THERAPY
How do you know if your toddler's speech is on track, or if it's worth getting some help? It's one of the most common questions parents quietly wonder about, and it rarely has a clear answer online.
Sunrise Speech Therapy, right here in the Ranches, offers a free 15-minute phone consultation for exactly this kind of question, no appointment or commitment required. Founder Kjirsten Keetch, MS, CCC-SLP, and her team of five therapists work with kids on everything from early speech delays and stuttering to bilingual language development, and the smaller private-practice setting means more flexibility to meet a child where they're at.
Address: 4408 E Pony Express Pkwy, Suite D, Eagle Mountain
Phone: 801-980-1510
Website: sunrisespeechtherapy.com
Kjirsten Keetch, MS, CCC-SLP, founder of Sunrise Speech Therapy.
WEEKEND GUIDE
Today, Jul 9:
Hutchings Museum Western Settlement, 10:15-10:45 a.m., Cory B. Wride Memorial Park. Details here.
Dessert with the Dean of John Hancock Charter School, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cory B. Wride Park, at the pavilion near the splash pad and restrooms. Details here.
Food Truck Rally, 6-9 p.m., Cory B. Wride Memorial Park. Details here.
Fri, Jul 10:
Movie in the Park: National Treasure, 9-11 p.m., Silverlake Amphitheater. Details here.
Outdoor Movie Night at Imaginaria, 8 p.m., Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point, Lehi. Details here.
Sat, Jul 11:
Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Cory B. Wride Memorial Park. Details here.
Badlands 5K/10K Run, 7:30/7:45 a.m. start, Bluffdale City Main Park. Registration here.
Firefly Pickleball Tournament, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Cedar Fort. Tickets here.
Final weekend of The Scarlet Pimpernel, 7:30 p.m. (4 p.m. matinee also today), Scott & Karen Smith Grand Theater at The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater, Pleasant Grove. Tickets and details here.
LOOK AHEAD
Jul 13-17: Snapology Combat Robots Camp, City Hall. Details here.
Tue, Jul 14: FREE Business Advising, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Valley Crossroads Chamber. Details here.
Tue, Jul 14: Senior Citizens Computer Class, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Valley Crossroads Chamber. Details here.
Tue, Jul 14: Planning Commission Meeting, work session 5:30 p.m., policy session 6:30 p.m. Details here.
Wed, Jul 15: Family Yoga, Nolen Park. Details here.
Wed, Jul 15: Bookmark Bunch, discussing historical fiction, 4-5 p.m., Library. Details here.
Thu, Jul 16: Camp Floyd event, ages 16 and up, City Council Chambers.
Thu, Jul 16: Food Truck Rally, 6-9 p.m. Details here.
Fri, Jul 17: Laptime, for infants and toddlers, 10:15-11:20 a.m., Library. Details here.
Sat, Jul 18: Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Details here.
Sat, Jul 18: American Fork Steel Days, a full day of city festivities including a car show and cruise, a fair, senior games, and a drone show and hot air balloon glow finale. Full schedule here.
Sat, Jul 25: Summer Bash and Laser Show. Details here.
Sat, Aug 1: Back to School Night, 6-8 p.m. Details here.
Thu, Aug 6: Truth-in-Taxation public hearing, 6 p.m., City Hall. Details here.
Tue, Aug 18: Final property tax budget vote, 7 p.m., City Hall.
COMMUNITY NOTES
Utility Assistance Program: The city's utility assistance program continues to offer a monthly credit covering 50% of eligible households' city utility bills, up to $75 a month for up to three months a year. Details and qualifying income limits here.
Utah Food Bank summer lunches: Free lunches for kids and teens 18 and younger continue Monday through Friday through August 7, at Nolen Park (10:30-11:30 a.m.) and Cory B. Wride Memorial Park (12:30-1:30 p.m.). Details here.
Recreation registrations still open: Youth Fall Pickleball (ages 8-15, through August 15) and Jr. Jazz Basketball (K-8th through November 1, 9th-12th through December 22) are both still open. Register here.
Thanks for reading. I’d love to hear from you. Reply to this email to let me know what you think about my newsletter and what I’ve been covering so far. Is there something I haven’t covered that you’d like me to dig into? Let me know.
See you around,
— Colten
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