Draper City Council Meeting: May 20, 2025

The Draper City Council met on May 20, 2025, beginning with a 6:00 PM study session on Open and Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and ethics training, followed by a 7:00 PM business session. The council recognized the 2025 Miss Draper royalty, approved consent items, held public hearings on a beer retailer license, the tentative FY 2025-2026 budget, and two zoning ordinances, and adopted an ordinance aligning city code with the state Community Cat Act. All votes were unanimous (4-0) with Mayor Walker and Councilmember Lowry absent.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the May 6, 2025 City Council meeting minutes.
• Approved Resolution #25-23, appointing Mark Vincent and Oliver Herrera Schuster to the Draper City Special Event Arena Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the general public comment period.
• No public testimony was offered during any of the public hearings (off-premises beer license, tentative budget, Ordinance #1651, Ordinance #1652).

Discussion Items

OPMA/Ethics Training (Study Session)

• Traci Gundersen presented annual training on the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act (Utah Code 52-4-101). The training covered the history of sunshine laws, definitions of quorum (simple majority of the public body), proper reasons for closed meetings (e.g., strategy sessions for pending litigation), electronic meeting requirements, and civility rules. The council learned that violations of closed meeting provisions are a Class B misdemeanor.

Recognition of Miss Draper 2025 Royalty

• The council introduced the newly crowned Miss Draper 2025: Cameron Stewart (University of Utah student, marketing major). Attendants: Kiana Conrad (BYU pre-med student), Mila Taylor (Corner Canyon High School junior), and Skylar Pratt (University of Utah graduate student). The program director Andrea Page was absent; recognition was given by Lisa Armstrong, Kelly Chalaberg, and Linda Peterson.

Off-Premises Beer Retailer License for Homewood Suites (Public Hearing)

• Staff report by Travis DeJong: The hotel at 47 East 123rd South requested a license to sell beer for off-premises consumption. The required distance (300 feet from schools, churches, etc.) was met (over 3,000 feet from Jordan River Parkway). Draper can issue up to 49 such licenses; currently 24 are active. The applicant, attorney Tanner Leonard, stated the license would allow retail sales to hotel guests and the public. The council approved the license unanimously.

FY 2025-2026 Tentative Budget (Public Hearing)

• Staff report by John Vuyk: The total city budget is $169,312,000 (up from $161,477,800 in FY25). The general fund is $52,189,000. The property tax rate is proposed to decrease from 0.001022 to 0.000971 due to the expiration of a general obligation bond, saving the median homeowner ($764,000 home value) $21 annually ($1.79/month). The council may consider keeping the rate at 0.001022 (adding $520,000 to general operations), which would require a truth-in-taxation hearing. A water rate increase of 8% (variable) and 15% (base) was proposed to address operational deficits. The average household monthly increase would be $6–$12. The budget adoption is scheduled for June 3, 2025.

Ordinance #1651: Draper Pointe Mixed Use Commercial Special District (Public Hearing)

• Staff report by Todd Taylor: The ordinance amends the Land Use and Development Code for the Draper Pointe area, adding new permitted uses (e.g., office warehouse, veterinary service) but removing limited manufacturing, general printing, and limited wholesale/warehousing as recommended by the Planning Commission (5-0 vote). The applicant, Joe Johnson, supported the modified plan, emphasizing a retail/office focus. The council approved the ordinance with the Planning Commission’s modifications.

Ordinance #1652: Granite Construction Zoning Map Amendment (Public Hearing)

• Staff report by Todd Draper: The ordinance rezones approximately 0.85 acres at 13488 S. 200 W. from CBP (business/manufacturing park) to M1 (light manufacturing) to consolidate with adjacent M1 parcels. The applicant, Tina Mud from Granite Construction, noted the rezone supports a planned construction sales and service yard. The Planning Commission recommended approval (5-0). The council approved the ordinance unanimously.

Ordinance #1653: Community Cats Ordinance (Action Item)

• Staff report by Traci Gundersen: The ordinance amends Title 7-5 of the Draper City Municipal Code to align with Utah State Code Section 11-46-303 regarding community cats. Key changes: exempt community cats (participating in trap-neuter-return programs) from licensing and feeding bans, allow release to sponsors before the 5-day shelter hold, and protect caretakers from penalties. Concerns about nuisance and colony growth were noted. The council approved the ordinance, emphasizing it ensures compliance with state law.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were 4-0 in favor of each item.
• Consent items approved.
• Off-premises beer retailer license for Homewood Suites approved.
• FY 2025-2026 tentative budget public hearing held; adoption set for June 3, 2025. Council may consider a property tax rate adjustment.
• Ordinance #1651 approved with Planning Commission modifications (removed limited manufacturing, general printing, limited wholesale/warehousing).
• Ordinance #1652 approved, rezoning 0.85 acres to M1.
• Ordinance #1653 approved, aligning city code with state Community Cat Act.
• The Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) meeting approved minutes and held a public hearing on the FY 2025-2026 tentative budget (adoption June 3). The Sand Hills CRA has expired; remaining fund balance of $3.4 million can be spent on original projects.