Draper City Community Engagement and Events Committee Inaugural Meeting - February 25, 2026

This was the first meeting of the newly formed Draper City Community Engagement and Events Committee, held on February 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The committee was created by merging the previous Special Events Committee and the Community Engagement Committee. The meeting included introductions, a review of the committee's charter, an overview of the city's annual events, identification of volunteer needs, discussion of conflict of interest forms, and setting a meeting schedule. The committee currently has 9 members, with 2 more positions open.

Committee Formation and Charter

• David Wilkes, staff liaison, explained that the committee was formed from two prior committees (Special Events and Community Engagement) to increase synergy and direction.
• The city council's directive for the committee is to: "Assist with building community and promoting community events in Draper City. The committee consists of 11 members who encourage community involvement, advocate and support activities that cultivate a welcoming inclusive culture, and provide gathering opportunities."
• Mark Vincent was introduced as chair and Falguni Narudia (also referred to as Val Guni) as vice chair.

Annual Event Overview and Volunteer Opportunities

• David Wilkes presented the annual event calendar, noting that many events are fully staffed by the Mayor's Youth Council (100 members, the largest in the state), parks staff, and the community events team (two full-time staff plus seasonal hires).
• Events where the committee's involvement is specifically sought include:
  • Cinco de Mayo (the engagement committee's traditional event)
  • Mayor's Bike Ride
  • Draper Days (nine days, with specific roles needed: parade lineup, grandstand announcer, community stage MC, food vendor coordination, day barn support, information booth, car show, children's bike parade, pie baking contest, bingo caller)
  • International Arts and Crafts Festival
  • Monster Trucks
  • Haunted Trail (decorating help)
  • Black History Month art contest
  • World Kindness Week (distribution of kindness cards and candy)
• David emphasized wanting committee members to take ownership of specific events for long-term continuity.
• Draper Days attendance: approximately 40,000 people on Saturday (2025), with over 50,000 expected over three days in good weather.

The America 250 Committee (with Mark Vincent and Falguni Narudia as members) was mentioned, highlighting a community potluck on Sunday, July 5, 2026, as part of a national initiative. Discussion noted the Sunday date and acknowledged cultural considerations.

Conflict of Interest Forms

• David Wilkes explained that all committee members and city employees must sign a conflict of interest form annually to protect the city's integrity. Members were asked to review and return the forms at the next meeting.

Future Meetings and Schedule

• The committee voted unanimously to meet monthly on the fourth Wednesday of the month through August 2026, then bimonthly starting in October, with a possible skip in December.
• Meeting duration targeted at 60 minutes.
• A holiday party was suggested for December and will be discussed at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Meeting schedule approved: Monthly on the fourth Wednesday through August 2026, then bimonthly thereafter.
• Conflict of interest forms to be returned at the next meeting.
• Members to review the event list and indicate preferred volunteer roles for discussion at the next meeting.
• A holiday party will be considered at the next meeting.
• Minutes from the prior committees (Special Events Committee, July 30, 2025; Community Engagement Committee, date unspecified) were accepted by unanimous consent.