OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Riverton City Council Meeting Summary – September 16, 2025

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, September 16, 2025
BodyRiverton, Utah
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, September 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:40:15

Transcript — Verbatim
1:38

Okay.

1:41

Should we get going?

1:47

No, thanks.

1:50

All right, counsel, let's go ahead and commence our work session meeting.

2:01

We'd like to go ahead and call our work session to order all elected officials present.

2:06

There's just a few items tonight that we'll be discussing during work session.

2:10

Um first up is the transit fresh study presentation, transit fresh look.

2:15

We've got representatives from Wash Front Regional Council here, so we'll we'll turn it over to you.

2:26

We've got Ted Ted Nolton is joining us remotely, is that right?

2:29

Okay.

2:30

Staff, is there anything else you would like to interject before he begins this presentation?

2:34

No.

2:36

All right, Ted, I guess we're uh we'll hear you out.

2:39

Go away.

2:40

Or go away.

2:41

Okay, Mayor Stags, thank you so much.

2:43

And um counsel, thanks so much for your time here tonight.

2:47

I'm not sure who else might be in the room representing this um shared effort, perhaps with Utah Transit Authority.

2:56

Uh forgive me, I'm in uh Providence, Rhode Island at a conference, and thank you so much for accommodating um the request for a remote presentation.

3:06

Um we mainly wanted to just make sure that uh Riverton City is in the loop, not surprised, kept abreast of what is happening on this study.

3:19

Uh this effort is nearing its conclusion, by no means the end of the story of how to improve transit in South West Solid County, but the end of at least this study, the transit fresh look, and wanted to give you a uh basic update tonight.

3:39

Um my intention is to be succinct and then certainly uh entertain whatever questions that you might have.

3:46

I believe that the staff is gonna run the presentation, and uh it looks like that might be available.

3:55

Um can I confirm that the council is able to see that on your screen?

4:00

Yes, yeah, we're able to, Ted.

4:02

And we do have some viewed up, Ted, so just if you say next slide, we'll advance.

4:07

Okay, very good.

4:08

Okay, thank you so much.

4:10

And I think that you know, most perhaps all of you are uh are aware generally of this.

4:14

If you'll go to the next slide, Jason, thank you.

4:17

Um this is I think an unusual study for two main reasons.

4:22

This slide touches on the first reason, which is that you know, oftentimes a transportation study it'll focus on what's what is realistic or what is what is um uh technically the most viable, and then it closes the door on other options, and this study is different because it is asking instead what do we want to achieve?

4:51

The vision, and then how what is necessary to make that uh vision a reality?

5:00

Do we want to accomplish that gap, if you will, or those things that are necessary to make that happen?

5:04

And if so, then let's go ahead and keep moving in that direction.

5:09

And so it's distinct in that regard.

5:11

And you get that with this align on a unified transit vision there.

5:16

Um, and the second bullet point is just notable because it is a focus on regional connectivity and not as much local bus.

5:26

And then the third bullet point there you that you see is it's called the transit fresh look in part because we recognize that not sure that we turned every stone that we needed to have identified the ideas that may make sense.

5:43

So I think this is part one of what makes the study special and interesting.

5:47

And the second slide, Jason, if you'll go to the next one, this is perhaps more important, which is that the partnership that is aligned that is pulled together to explore hey, what do we want to accomplish for transit in the southwest part of the valley?

6:03

I think is incredibly broad.

6:05

Um, it's all of the communities listed on the left, including certainly Riverton.

6:11

Um, it's a lot of other stakeholders, including uh state legislators, um and uh uh and and the like that you see in that second column, and then transportation agencies.

6:24

And so the the idea is not to put you know the transportation agencies on one side and the communities on the other, but instead let's get around, if you will, a round table and let's ask ourselves what can we come to agreement that we want to work to accomplish together that partnership.

6:42

Jason, go to the next slide.

6:44

Uh, you as a city, you elected to um have uh Mayor Staggs, Councilmember Perucci, uh City Manager Hicks, and uh CED director Lethbridge as your representatives on that, and then of course they would coordinate with you as council um and uh and staff to inform how does Riverton interact with this broad partnership.

7:13

Uh go to the next slide.

7:14

I mentioned that we are in the late stages of this effort, and again, the idea here tonight is you're in the loop, you're not surprised before, not after the study is completed.

7:29

Um, and you can see there was basically three major uh phases here.

7:33

Uh let's explore ideas, discover, let's refine them, and then let's establish our vision and the plan for implementation.

7:42

So we're kind of on the cusp of I think the partnership choosing what is the vision for the um for this part of the valley with regard to transit.

7:55

I'm gonna present kind of the fork in the road, if you will, for that committee here tonight.

8:02

Um, Jason, go to the next slide.

8:04

There's really uh the fork in the road here is that there's um especially with regard to what might happen to a prospective red line extension uh from daybreak westward, pardon me, eastward.

8:26

Um there's a couple of options that the partnership is exploring.

8:32

Uh, scenario one, forgive me, my image of that slide is very small, and I'm just trying to make sure I don't get it wrong.

8:43

Scenario one is the scenario in which the red line extension would occur southward along the Porter Rockwell Boulevard, and that what would happen on Bangator Highway in this scenario is bus rapid transit.

9:02

It's a scenario because this is the fork in the road.

9:04

The partnership is gonna explore do we go more, do we coalesce around this one, or what I'm about to show you too, or you know, it's it's the partnership's prerogative if they want to go in another direction, that is their decision.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation████████████████████████████28%
Transportation Master Plan████████████████16%
Procedural██████████10%
Immigration Policy██████████10%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Youth Programs████4%
Public Transportation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Riverton City Council Meeting – September 16, 2025

The Riverton City Council held a Work Session at 6:02 PM and a regular Council Meeting at 7:04 PM on September 16, 2025, at Riverton City Hall. The agenda included a transit study update, traffic safety improvements, a skate park survey discussion, and public comments on the skate park, safe school routes, and the city’s ICE partnership. The Council also adopted several resolutions and ordinances.

Proclamations

  • Constitution Week 2025: Mayor Staggs presented a proclamation designating September 17–23 as Constitution Week, urging citizens to protect constitutional freedoms.
  • Honoring Charlie Kirk Proclamation: The Mayor proclaimed September 16, 2025, as “Charlie Kirk Day” in Riverton, honoring his legacy of civic engagement and free speech after his assassination. Residents were encouraged to serve, engage civically, and engage in respectful dialogue.

Presentations

  • Transit Fresh Study (Work Session): Ted Knowlton, Chief Planner of Wasatch Front Regional Council, presented an update on the transit study for southwest Salt Lake County. The study is nearing conclusion and focuses on regional connectivity. Key fork in the road: a Red Line rail extension either along Bangerter Highway or Porter Rockwell Boulevard. Bus rapid transit on Redwood Road and enhanced bus service on 12600 South are also under consideration. Cost and timeline data for the Red Line extension options will be presented to the partnership on September 29, 2025. Councilmember Pierucci noted that staff will share cost information as soon as it is received. The project is at least 10 years away from construction.
  • Riverton Police Department Life Saving Award: Chief Shane Taylor presented the Life Saving Award to Officers Hiatt, Austin, and Coy for their heroic actions on June 4, 2025, in saving a gunshot wound victim.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (5-0):
    • Minutes of August 26, 2025
    • Resolution No. 25-44 (declaring part of Draper Station Park Area Plan impracticable)
    • Resolution No. 25-45 (supporting America250 Utah and Riverton Utah250 Committee)
    • Resolution No. 25-46 (Cash Receipts and Deposits Policy)
    • Resolution No. 25-47 (declaring city equipment surplus)
    • Resolution No. 25-48 (Artificial Intelligence Use Policy)

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Preston Fetzer: Expressed disappointment with the city’s late-August partnership with ICE, calling it politically motivated and headline-driven, and urged focus on core responsibilities.
  • Will Campbell: Raised concerns about crime, drug use, and proximity to schools at the current skate park; questioned its usefulness and suggested alternatives like a splash pad or pickleball courts.
  • Benjamin Jones & Shamae Sabin (safe walking routes): Described the 2.3-mile route to South Hills Middle School as unsafe, with 12 intersections (five multi-lane) and only one crossing guard, lacking sidewalks. Urged the city to provide bus transportation or make the route truly safe.
  • RobbiLyn Lindwall: Supported the skate park, emphasizing its importance for teen mental health and social interaction. Argued that proper maintenance could have extended its lifespan.
  • Mara Zenger & Amber Lambson: Opposed the 287(g) ICE program, citing erosion of trust, racial profiling, and reduced crime reporting. Amber Lambson also supported keeping the skate park at Centennial Park.
  • Tammy Anderson: Strongly opposed relocating the skate park; highlighted record enrollment in Oquirrh Mountain Girls Softball (696 girls, 58 teams) and the need for more field space, lights, and safety improvements. She emphasized equity for girls’ sports.
  • Dan Hughes: Supported skate parks, noting they can be various sizes and accommodate multiple activities. Advocated for neighborhood-sized skate parks and offered to help with design.
  • Emily Gibbons: Expressed fear about ICE collaboration, citing videos of ICE practices, and requested clear written explanations of how the program would work.
  • Brackstyn Whitlock: Opposed ICE partnership, arguing municipal resources should not be used for federal immigration enforcement, and called on the council to reconsider.
  • Janice Carlsen: Favored retaining the skate park at its current location due to the open feel and view; raised concerns about parking and proximity to vulnerable populations at Centennial Park.
  • Lacy Croft, MaryAnn Birch, Dorothy Rigby, Alyssa Holt, Lisa Larson, Vincent Lindwall, Matthew Renlund (by email): Provided additional comments on skate park location, safety at Centennial Park, softball facility needs, and the need for better communication from the city.

Discussion Items

  • Traffic Equipment Upgrades (Work Session): City Manager Kevin Hicks proposed installing cameras at major intersections for investigative purposes (not enforcement) at an estimated cost of $35,000–$40,000, requiring a budget adjustment. He also suggested exploring a “delayed red” timing (all signals red briefly before green) to improve safety. Councilmembers expressed support for exploring the delayed red option, with Councilmember Pierucci suggesting a pilot study to assess traffic flow impacts. The Council directed staff to meet with UDOT and the county to discuss implementation.
  • 12600 South CRA / Skate Park Survey (Work Session): Mayor Staggs reviewed the history: in 2022, the Council designated the half-acre skate park parcel as part of a community reinvestment area, envisioning future redevelopment. A contractor deemed the skate park beyond repair, requiring a full tear-out and replacement (estimated $1–1.5 million). A public survey (over 3,000 responses) showed that most residents rarely or never use the skate park; of those supporting relocation, 54% preferred Centennial Park or a new regional park east of Mountain View Village. The Mayor clarified that the May boundary adjustment was to comply with a state law regarding alcohol-serving restaurants near parks, not to open the skate park for development. Councilmembers discussed cost-effectiveness, youth usage patterns, and alternative uses (e.g., pump tracks, motocross, additional softball fields). Councilmember McCay noted that residents she spoke with did not want the skate park removed from its current location. Councilmember Buroker suggested exploring land south of the river bottom on 12600 South.
  • Ordinance No. 25-21 – RM-6 Zoning Amendment: Development Services Director Jason Lethbridge presented an ordinance updating the RM-6 zone (multi-family) to include provisions for private roads and to clarify development standards. The main issue was the rear yard setback: the Planning Commission recommended 15 feet, but the Council preferred 25 feet when adjacent to single-family zoning, with the option to modify via SD designation. The Council adopted Option A (25 feet) unanimously (5-0).
  • Ordinance No. 25-22 – Commercial Dumpster Enclosures: The Council reinstated inadvertently removed language regarding dumpster enclosures, consolidating standards across commercial zones. No new standards were created. The ordinance was adopted unanimously (5-0) after a public hearing with no comments.

Key Outcomes

  • Traffic Safety: The Council directed staff to work with UDOT and the county to explore implementing a delayed red-light timing at signalized intersections, and to consider a budget adjustment for investigative cameras (estimated $35,000–$40,000).
  • Skate Park: The Council will continue deliberating the future of the skate park, considering survey results, public comments, and potential relocation options (Centennial Park, regional park east of Mountain View Village, or other locations). Staff will engage with the community on design if a new location is chosen.
  • Safe Walking Routes: Mayor Staggs committed to staff review of the concerns about the walking route to South Hills Middle School, with follow-up at the next executive staff meeting.
  • ICE Partnership: Mayor Staggs defended the 287(g) program, stating it enhances public safety and allows trained officers to work with federal agents on serious crimes. He emphasized that it does not involve routine immigration checks. The Council did not take formal action on the program during this meeting.
  • Ordinances: Both Ordinance No. 25-21 (RM-6 zoning) and Ordinance No. 25-22 (commercial dumpster enclosures) were adopted unanimously.

Upcoming Meetings

  • October 7, 2025 – Work Session & City Council Meeting
  • October 21, 2025 – Work Session & City Council Meeting
  • November 18, 2025 – Work Session & City Council Meeting
  • December 2, 2025 – Work Session & City Council Meeting

The meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Okay. Should we get going? No, thanks. All right, counsel, let's go ahead and commence our work session meeting. We'd like to go ahead and call our work session to order all elected officials present. There's just a few items tonight that we'll be discussing during work session. Um first up is the transit fresh study presentation, transit fresh look. We've got representatives from Wash Front Regional Council here, so we'll we'll turn it over to you. We've got Ted Ted Nolton is joining us remotely, is that right? Okay. Staff, is there anything else you would like to interject before he begins this presentation? No. All right, Ted, I guess we're uh we'll hear you out. Go away. Or go away. Okay, Mayor Stags, thank you so much. And um counsel, thanks so much for your time here tonight. I'm not sure who else might be in the room representing this um shared effort, perhaps with Utah Transit Authority. Uh forgive me, I'm in uh Providence, Rhode Island at a conference, and thank you so much for accommodating um the request for a remote presentation. Um we mainly wanted to just make sure that uh Riverton City is in the loop, not surprised, kept abreast of what is happening on this study. Uh this effort is nearing its conclusion, by no means the end of the story of how to improve transit in South West Solid County, but the end of at least this study, the transit fresh look, and wanted to give you a uh basic update tonight. Um my intention is to be succinct and then certainly uh entertain whatever questions that you might have. I believe that the staff is gonna run the presentation, and uh it looks like that might be available. Um can I confirm that the council is able to see that on your screen? Yes, yeah, we're able to, Ted. And we do have some viewed up, Ted, so just if you say next slide, we'll advance. Okay, very good. Okay, thank you so much. And I think that you know, most perhaps all of you are uh are aware generally of this. If you'll go to the next slide, Jason, thank you. Um this is I think an unusual study for two main reasons. This slide touches on the first reason, which is that you know, oftentimes a transportation study it'll focus on what's what is realistic or what is what is um uh technically the most viable, and then it closes the door on other options, and this study is different because it is asking instead what do we want to achieve? The vision, and then how what is necessary to make that uh vision a reality? Do we want to accomplish that gap, if you will, or those things that are necessary to make that happen? And if so, then let's go ahead and keep moving in that direction. And so it's distinct in that regard. And you get that with this align on a unified transit vision there. Um, and the second bullet point is just notable because it is a focus on regional connectivity and not as much local bus. And then the third bullet point there you that you see is it's called the transit fresh look in part because we recognize that not sure that we turned every stone that we needed to have identified the ideas that may make sense. So I think this is part one of what makes the study special and interesting. And the second slide, Jason, if you'll go to the next one, this is perhaps more important, which is that the partnership that is aligned that is pulled together to explore hey, what do we want to accomplish for transit in the southwest part of the valley? I think is incredibly broad. Um, it's all of the communities listed on the left, including certainly Riverton. Um, it's a lot of other stakeholders, including uh state legislators, um and uh uh and and the like that you see in that second column, and then transportation agencies. And so the the idea is not to put you know the transportation agencies on one side and the communities on the other, but instead let's get around, if you will, a round table and let's ask ourselves what can we come to agreement that we want to work to accomplish together that partnership. Jason, go to the next slide. Uh, you as a city, you elected to um have uh Mayor Staggs, Councilmember Perucci, uh City Manager Hicks, and uh CED director Lethbridge as your representatives on that, and then of course they would coordinate with you as council um and uh and staff to inform how does Riverton interact with this broad partnership. Uh go to the next slide. I mentioned that we are in the late stages of this effort, and again, the idea here tonight is you're in the loop, you're not surprised before, not after the study is completed. Um, and you can see there was basically three major uh phases here.

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