Hey Eagle Mountain. Colten here.

It was so fun to meet so many of you during Halloween Town last Saturday. Thanks to everyone who said hi and shared kind words about my Valueletters. That means so much to me and keeps me motivated to keep writing these.

To the new folks here: Welcome! I do hope that you find value in my letters.

The City Council meets Tuesday, October 20 at City Hall. The afternoon meeting starts at 4:00 p.m. and the evening meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. General public comment takes place during the evening meeting (7:00 p.m.), with 3 minutes allowed per person.

The latest version of the contract for the Corrigan Farms data center land no longer includes a natural gas power plant. As a reminder, the Corrigan Farms property is about 41 acres on the south side of 1000 North, where the city ends at the Utah County line.

Here's what changed in the contract:

City staff will also bring proposed changes to the city's rules for power plants. A natural gas plant would have to show that its emissions meet state and federal air standards at nearby homes and approved home sites. Its owner would also have to give the city a bond, money held as a guarantee, covering the full estimated cost of tearing down the plant and restoring the land if the plant is ever abandoned. The bond amount would be updated every five years.

The Council is scheduled to discuss the contract for 30 minutes at the afternoon meeting, then vote on the zoning change and the contract at the evening meeting. Neither vote is tied to a public hearing, so if you have something to say on this, give your comments during general public comment near the start of the evening meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Residents want to buy a strip of city land behind their homes. A group of residents asked to buy about 0.85 acre of city land that runs between the backs of their homes and a trail. On Tuesday, the Council decides whether selling the land to the residents might make sense. If it does, the Council also picks how to sell it: through a real estate agent, at auction, or directly to the residents. If the Council says yes, a public hearing comes later, announced on the city's website at least 45 days ahead. City staff said they are generally neutral on the request.

You can look up whether your lot is in the city’s wildfire area. The city keeps a map of wildfire-area lots in its code. On Tuesday, the Council holds a public hearing and votes on two changes. One adds a state rule to city code that lets owners of those lots clear plants from part of their property to meet fire-safety standards. The other marks those lots on maps for new subdivisions. Anyone can speak at the hearing during the evening meeting (notice).

The city may pave over the landscaped medians on Pony Express Parkway near Trail Head Road. As part of the new traffic signal going in at that intersection, the Council votes Tuesday on about $298,000 in changes to the construction contract. The changes keep the intersection open during construction and replace the medians between Trail Head Road and Eagle Mountain Boulevard with pavement. They're on the consent agenda, which the Council can approve in one vote without discussion.

City staff has also proposed paving the medians from Trail Head Road to Lake Mountain Road (formerly Mid Valley Road), but that isn't up for a vote Tuesday. Staff said it would lower upkeep costs, improve access to Cory B. Wride Memorial Park, and let the Pony Express Days parade use the parkway.

Who should get first priority for the city's help buying a home? The city's Mortgage Assistance Program gives first-time buyers up to $25,000 to help buy a home in Eagle Mountain. More people qualify for the program than what the program’s budget can pay for. In September, 17 people qualified, but there was only enough money for two. Right now, public employees get first priority, and everyone else is considered after them. At the afternoon meeting, staff will ask the Council how to decide who goes first among everyone else, including whether local skilled trade workers should get priority. The Council will discuss it Tuesday but won't vote.

You can read the full agenda and packet on the meeting page.

The city wants your feedback in a community survey. It takes about 10 to 12 minutes. (Take the survey · City post)

Voter registration for the November 3 election closes Friday, October 23 at 5:00 p.m. If you don’t register in time, the city says you may still be able to register and vote in person with a provisional ballot (city post). If you're mailing your ballot, mail it by Tuesday, October 27. The Postal Service recommends mailing a ballot at least a week before it has to arrive. After that, use the drop box on the north end of City Hall, since ballots have to be received by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. If your ballot hasn't come, you can track it or call Utah County Elections at 801-851-VOTE (8683). You can read more of my advice and research in the October 15 issue.

The city's winter street parking rule starts Sunday, November 1. From November 1 to March 15, you can't park on city streets whenever snow accumulates. Cars left on the street can be fined and towed. (City code · City reminder)

UTA is holding a free online class on how to use UTA On Demand on Monday, October 19. It runs on Zoom from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and you need to register ahead. (Register)

The school district holds a hearing Thursday, October 22 on boundaries for three elementary schools. Lake Mountain School District is looking at possible changes to the boundaries between Black Ridge, Harvest and Springside elementaries. The hearing is at 6:05 p.m. in the Westlake High School Media Center, 99 N 200 W in Saratoga Springs. Superintendent Carter said the district is "cleaning up existing boundary lines, primarily in areas where there are currently no homes." (Public notice)

Wishing you all a wonderful start to your week!

See you around,

— Colten

Is this a forwarded email?
Subscribe here or scan the QR code below to never miss what’s going on in Eagle Mountain.