OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Riverton City Council Meeting - December 16, 2025: Skate Facility Removal Approved, Outgoing Officials Recognized

Meeting Portal — Tuesday, December 16, 2025
BodyRiverton, Utah
SessionMeeting Portal
DateTuesday, December 16, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:01:00

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Gosh, is Andy joining us there?

0:01

In between these I need to be able to do that.

0:02

Okay, good update.

0:04

Jamie, we ready to go?

0:07

Great.

0:08

6 30, folks.

0:09

Let's go ahead and start our work session.

0:11

We'll call the meeting to order.

0:13

Elected officials are all present, uh, with the exception of Councilmember Heymond and then Councilmember Perucci is joining us online.

0:22

Is that right?

0:24

We have a condensed work session agenda and time frame today.

0:29

There's not a whole lot to discuss.

0:31

I just I thought it would be a good idea as we conclude the year to review some of these projects that I know have been the focus excuse me of our Wednesday staff meetings, executive staff meetings that I've largely attended throughout the years uh with Kevin and and department heads.

0:49

So um we'll have time to to maybe review at the end of these if you have any questions.

0:57

What I'd like to do though, so we don't uh get stuck and not be able to finish with only a half hour.

1:04

If Kevin, we could kind of run down through this list.

1:08

Let me make a brief comment, you make comment, we'll go through and then council.

1:12

If you have questions relating to any of these, we'll get back to some questions after 10 minutes or so of review.

1:20

Does that sound okay?

1:21

Okay, yeah.

1:23

I think there are 15 or 16 items here.

1:27

There's a spreadsheet we had.

1:28

We had completed projects that we moved off to the other spreadsheet, but just at the top, um, people familiar with this project on the acre and a half next to the skate facility.

1:40

You know, that went to planning commission, they had different recommendations.

1:44

Um I think they're in discussions with staff about changing things up or modifying uh plans based on feedback from the planning commission.

1:55

And so I think there's there's nothing.

2:01

Do you have anything else to add on that one there?

2:03

No, we uh I believe the the developer that we know is is actually focusing on a few different projects in the city as well.

2:10

And the the latest in conversation with Jason, he's been in frequently meeting with Jason, but not for anything in regards to this project, it's been for another project he's working on.

2:19

Okay.

2:20

Um the Welby Canal Trail easement, you say complete.

2:23

This is going to be on the south side of 13200, right?

2:26

Where we've completed up to that piece.

2:29

Is that right, Kerry?

2:31

Yeah, this is the piece from 118th to about 132 south.

2:35

Um it's all complete except for what we call Hawk signals, which is the push button to get across these major roadways.

2:42

Um and the designs nearly complete.

2:45

I was told it should be done Thursday, and we'll get out to bid to go out shortly.

2:49

So you'll be continuing beyond 132 in conjunction with the bridge.

2:55

Yeah, the rest of from 132 to our border 138th will be done with the UDOT trail network with the bridge over.

3:02

Yep.

3:03

Okay, which is also on the list here.

3:05

Right?

3:06

That's the next one.

3:08

Um I know Robert Stewart is probably tired of hearing from me on this, and so it'll be up to you guys to keep the carry the football after January.

3:19

Uh we had hoped that it would have already gone out to bid that construction would have been started here in the fall because especially because of the busing situation.

3:29

Uh but it looks like it's it's yet to go out to bid, and they think they'll start construction in the springtime, and with it finished maybe by the fall.

3:40

Is that right?

3:41

That is still the hope.

3:42

Um, I the update you see there is from an email I sent to Robert, and he did respond on Friday.

3:48

Um they are still having some coordination issues both with Rocky Mountain Power and right-of-way stuff.

3:54

Matt Castle, our city engineer is working very closely with them and staying on top of them as as much as we can because we're really pushing hard to get them to start construction this spring.

4:05

Okay.

4:06

Um the 10-acre park, again, our parks committee has weighed in on that.

4:12

We had final design, they're looking now at the playground equipment, and that park is gonna be paid for entirely through impact.

4:20

Is that correct?

4:23

This one here.

4:24

Hopefully.

4:25

Yeah, should be.

4:26

Anything else to add?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████19%
Mayor and Council Reports██████████████14%
Land Use Regulation████████████12%
Miscellaneous████████████12%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████10%
Transportation Safety██████████10%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Public Safety███████7%
Youth Programs██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

Riverton City Council Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Riverton City Council held a work session and regular meeting on December 16, 2025. The work session included a review of ongoing projects, and the regular meeting featured public comments, recognition of outgoing officials, and a contentious vote to remove the existing skate facility. Mayor Trent Staggs cast the tie-breaking vote to approve the removal, despite public opposition and council concerns about lacking cost estimates.

Consent Calendar

  • Council unanimously approved the minutes from the December 2, 2025 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jason Richman spoke in opposition to closing the skate park, citing personal experience as a former user and parent. He argued the public was not adequately informed of safety issues, questioned the safety report’s conclusions and cost estimates, emphasized the park’s value for youth, and offered to professionally repair the park at no cost.
  • Ida Allen spoke in support of retaining the skate park, noting its visual compatibility with the surrounding park and its importance as one of the limited recreational options for children. She expressed concern about rapid development and loss of Riverton’s identity.
  • Hannah Richman stated support for keeping the skate park.

Presentations

  • Councilmember Tawnee McCay Recognition: McCay was thanked for eight years of service. She highlighted favorite experiences including community events, youth engagement, public safety initiatives, and work on regional boards.
  • Mayor Trent Staggs Recognition: Staggs was recognized for 12 years of service (four as councilmember, eight as mayor). City Manager Kevin Hicks noted historic accomplishments under Staggs: sales tax revenue growth from ~$5M to $13M, elimination of business license fees, creation of the Riverton Police Department with $20M returned to taxpayers, generational infrastructure investments, zero property tax rate, and triple-A bond rating. Staggs thanked his family and emphasized the temporary nature of elected office.

Discussion Items

  • Project List Review (Work Session): Kevin Hicks reviewed 15-16 ongoing projects. Highlights included:

    • Development adjacent to skate park under review.
    • Welby Canal Trail easement substantially complete; pedestrian signal work expected soon.
    • 10-acre park design progressing; funded by impact fees.
    • Proposed pump station on 11800 South for water pressure improvements.
    • Redwood Road RDA tax increment effort targeting ~$70K/year over 25 years.
    • Equalization pond expansion (4200 West) – geotechnical work pending for design choice between one large pond or two with beautification.
    • Additional westbound lane at Bangerter/12600 South near completion.
    • Skate facility removal contemplated (see Key Outcomes).
    • Regional park design coordination with Land Reserve; meeting scheduled January 14.
    • Dutchman Lane connection design in-house; no construction timeline.
    • Surplus property (~1.5 acres) on west side may go to RFP pending council direction.
    • Eminent domain authorized for sidewalk project.

  • Councilmember Tawnee McCay requested updates on sidewalk along 2700 West near Bangerter and pedestrian crossing between 2700 West and 3600 West. Public Works Director Cary Necaise stated the crossing is anticipated with a future canal trail.

  • Councilmember Andy Pierucci requested traffic-calming measures (speed bumps) added to the city project list, specifically on Shaggy Peak Drive. He also asked about equalization pond design and traffic signal delay coordination with Salt Lake County (pilot study at 3600 West/12600 South).

  • Necaise provided update on Jordan Basin Improvement District project on 13400 South: pipe installation by mid-January, roads open for holidays, paving later in good weather.

  • Public Works Operational Budget Discussion and Resolution No. 25-62 – Approving Removal of the Skate Facility:

    • City Manager Kevin Hicks noted $18,000 may be awarded from Salt Lake County for design of a new facility. Removal could be done by city staff at roughly half the cost of hiring a contractor.
    • Councilmember Tawnee McCay expressed concern about approving a budget action without specific dollar amounts. She recommended tabling the decision until more concrete cost estimates were available and allowing the newly elected council to weigh in.
    • Mayor Staggs argued safety reports indicated issues and supported starting fresh with a subcommittee to identify new location and funding.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution No. 25-62 (Removal of Skate Facility): Motion passed 3-2. Councilmembers McDougal and Pierucci voted yes; Buroker and McCay voted no. Mayor Staggs cast the tie-breaking yes vote. The resolution approves removal of the existing skate facility with city staff, pending final cost reporting. A subcommittee will be established to identify new locations and funding sources for a future skate facility.

Meeting Transcript

Gosh, is Andy joining us there? In between these I need to be able to do that. Okay, good update. Jamie, we ready to go? Great. 6 30, folks. Let's go ahead and start our work session. We'll call the meeting to order. Elected officials are all present, uh, with the exception of Councilmember Heymond and then Councilmember Perucci is joining us online. Is that right? We have a condensed work session agenda and time frame today. There's not a whole lot to discuss. I just I thought it would be a good idea as we conclude the year to review some of these projects that I know have been the focus excuse me of our Wednesday staff meetings, executive staff meetings that I've largely attended throughout the years uh with Kevin and and department heads. So um we'll have time to to maybe review at the end of these if you have any questions. What I'd like to do though, so we don't uh get stuck and not be able to finish with only a half hour. If Kevin, we could kind of run down through this list. Let me make a brief comment, you make comment, we'll go through and then council. If you have questions relating to any of these, we'll get back to some questions after 10 minutes or so of review. Does that sound okay? Okay, yeah. I think there are 15 or 16 items here. There's a spreadsheet we had. We had completed projects that we moved off to the other spreadsheet, but just at the top, um, people familiar with this project on the acre and a half next to the skate facility. You know, that went to planning commission, they had different recommendations. Um I think they're in discussions with staff about changing things up or modifying uh plans based on feedback from the planning commission. And so I think there's there's nothing. Do you have anything else to add on that one there? No, we uh I believe the the developer that we know is is actually focusing on a few different projects in the city as well. And the the latest in conversation with Jason, he's been in frequently meeting with Jason, but not for anything in regards to this project, it's been for another project he's working on. Okay. Um the Welby Canal Trail easement, you say complete. This is going to be on the south side of 13200, right? Where we've completed up to that piece. Is that right, Kerry? Yeah, this is the piece from 118th to about 132 south. Um it's all complete except for what we call Hawk signals, which is the push button to get across these major roadways. Um and the designs nearly complete. I was told it should be done Thursday, and we'll get out to bid to go out shortly. So you'll be continuing beyond 132 in conjunction with the bridge. Yeah, the rest of from 132 to our border 138th will be done with the UDOT trail network with the bridge over. Yep. Okay, which is also on the list here. Right? That's the next one. Um I know Robert Stewart is probably tired of hearing from me on this, and so it'll be up to you guys to keep the carry the football after January. Uh we had hoped that it would have already gone out to bid that construction would have been started here in the fall because especially because of the busing situation. Uh but it looks like it's it's yet to go out to bid, and they think they'll start construction in the springtime, and with it finished maybe by the fall. Is that right? That is still the hope. Um, I the update you see there is from an email I sent to Robert, and he did respond on Friday.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com