Lehigh City Council Meeting Summary - November 18, 2025

The Lehigh City Council convened on November 18, 2025, with Council Members Chris Paige, Heather, Michelle, Paul Hancock (virtual), and the Mayor in attendance, pending the arrival of Chris who joined later. The meeting began with a prayer led by Paige and a Pledge of Allegiance led by Heather. The session included a closed executive session regarding property litigation, professional competence, and character issues. The Council unanimously approved a series of routine agenda items, including a consent agenda, a water conservation plan amendment, two construction agreements, property acquisition, and zoning changes. The primary deliberation centered on a major resolution to finance a new Science and Technology building at Thanksgiving Point via sales tax revenue bonds, involving extensive debate on financing mechanics, public access guarantees, and risk mitigation.

Consent Calendar

• Item 3.1: Approved the ordinance for the Clark Meadows annexation.
• Item 3.2: Approved the meeting minutes from the prior session.
• Item 3.3: Approved the purchase orders.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Rachel Freeman: Expressed full support for the budget amendment creating a code enforcement position, stating it is a great initiative for the community.
• Unnamed Council Member (referencing pedestrian safety): Raised concerns regarding pedestrian traffic on the east side of Center Street near the Sky Area Plan amendment, specifically noting the need for safe access for minors walking to Skyridge High School and potential conflicts with driveway placements.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 2025-83 (Water Conservation Plan): Greg presented the amendment updating staff, water sources, and rights; the Council noted the requirement for five-year updates. Position: Support expressed for all members to proceed with the update.
• Resolution 2025-81 (Jordan Willows Lift Station): Core Construction agreed to refurbish pipes, fittings, valves, and pumps for a 20-year-old lift station handling six million gallons daily. Council members discussed the complexity of the job, with one member expressing they were glad not to work for the contractor due to the difficulty.
• Resolution 2025-79 (Foreclosure Purchase): Staff recommended purchasing a vacant reservoir property to address liability from a leak, with plans to resell the property immediately after repairs. Position: Council supported the acquisition to mitigate liability risks.
• Resolution 2025-82 (Engineering Services): RB and G Engineering was selected to design the widening of 2300 West. Position: Council expressed confidence in the firm due to their previous excellent work and selection committee recommendation.
• Budget Amendment 2025-78 (Code Enforcement): The amendment creates a code enforcement position under the Planning Department working with Police to track violations. A public hearing was held with Rachel Freeman testifying in support. Positions: Council members expressed approval of the position's safety and compliance benefits.
• Ordinance 65-2025 (Smith Zone Change): Approved changing 0.4 acres at 235 West State Street from R2 residential to Neighborhood Commercial. The applicant noted the change aligns with the General Plan and follows a unanimous Planning Commission recommendation. Position: Council supported the designation change.
• Ordinance 66-2025 (Sky Area Plan): Gardner Company presented design changes for mixed-use development, including drive-throughs set behind buildings with retaining walls and landscaping buffers, and a linear park to enhance pedestrian access. Positions: Council discussed the buffer between the drive-throughs and the sidewalk; staff confirmed the safety design includes a park strip, sidewalk, and retaining walls. Council supported the design amendments.
• Resolution 2025-84 (Thanksgiving Point Bond): McKay Christensen (CEO) and Jason Burningham presented a proposal for a $60 million Science and Technology building, with $30 million to be financed by Lehigh City sales tax revenue bonds. Positions:
  • Support: Council members Chris, Heather, Paul, and Paige supported the motion, citing the significant economic return (over 8% ROI), the reinvestment of interest savings ($6.9 million NPV) into the project rather than banks, the lack of immediate cash outlay, and the public benefit for STEM access for low-income children.
  • Opposition/Concern: Council Member Michelle expressed strong concern about pledging public tax revenue (sales tax) to a private entity, citing Utah Constitution restrictions. She preferred a conduit bond structure to avoid public risk, arguing the $6.9 million savings would otherwise go to bond investors in that model. She also requested explicit guarantees that low-income access (WIC/SNAP) and public programming would remain identical to current Thanksgiving Point operations.
  • Amendments: Following Michelle's concerns, the Council agreed to amend the motion to replace specific ticket revenue pledges with a "net revenue pledge" from all Thanksgiving Point facilities as a backstop and to include language ensuring the facility operates under substantially similar public access terms as current Thanksgiving Point venues.
• Resolution 2025-80 (Election Certification): Council reviewed and prepared to certify the official results of the November 4, 2025, General Municipal Election. Position: Unanimous approval of the certification process.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Resolution 2025-83: Amending the Lehigh City Water Conservation Plan (Vote: 5-0).
• Approved Resolution 2025-81: Agreements for Jordan Willows Lift Station Upgrade with Core Construction (Vote: 5-0).
• Approved Resolution 2025-79: Ratifying the purchase of a foreclosure property for liability mitigation (Vote: 5-0).
• Approved Resolution 2025-82: Agreement with RB and G Engineering for 2300 West widening (Vote: 5-0).
• Approved Resolution 2025-78: Budget amendment for Fiscal Year 2026 to fund a Code Enforcement Officer (Vote: 5-0).
• Approved Ordinance 65-2025: Smith Zone Change at 235 West State Street (Vote: 5-0).
• Approved Ordinance 66-2025: Sky Area Plan Amendment for design changes and drive-throughs (Vote: 5-0).
• Approved Resolution 2025-84 (with Amendments): Authorizing the issuance of sales tax revenue bonds for the Thanksgiving Point Science and Technology building. The resolution was approved with amendments directing the lease to be modified to replace specific ticket revenue pledges with a net revenue pledge from all facilities and ensuring public programming operates under the same scope as existing venues. (Vote: 4-1). Council Member Michelle voted no due to concerns over pledging taxpayer credit, while the majority viewed the structure as low-risk with high community returns.
• Approved Resolution 2025-80: Certification of the November 4, 2025, election results (Vote: 5-0).
• Adjournment: Council adjourned to a closed executive session for discussion of personnel, character, and professional competence issues.