OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Syracuse City Council Meeting Summary - December 10, 2025

Public MeetingsWednesday, December 10, 2025
BodySyracuse, Utah
SessionPublic Meetings
DateWednesday, December 10, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

Oh right.

0:02

Are we around?

0:05

Come on in and have a seat, ladies.

0:07

Come on in up front.

0:34

That's a good idea.

0:46

Maybe all the women's sports except for our watchment.

0:52

Even polo.

0:54

I love full wave sounds games.

1:00

I like what it is for.

1:01

That's what I really want.

1:15

I don't have Julie.

1:23

I'm ready to tell me.

1:31

I mean it well, I figured it's possible for now, but it is clear that Jordan and I are closing this one night because they just get emotional.

2:27

Very small.

2:28

Thank you for stories on the problems.

2:36

Okay, ladies and gentlemen, it is six o'clock, so I will call this meeting to order for the Syracuse here in December.

2:44

Uh tonight, we will begin with an invocation or thought.

2:47

Uh Jordan, would you provide that?

2:49

And then uh Jennifer, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

2:57

Our Father in Heaven, we are truly grateful to be to be gathered together today.

3:04

Opportunity to be a little kinder to each other.

3:06

Please bless us as we go about our days that we can care for those in need and be mindful of others.

3:13

We are truly grateful for the opportunities we've been given and for this great city.

3:17

Please bless us as we consider these items in the agenda that we can be wise in our approach and make those decisions that we'll be able to help all of us the Syracuse citizens to succeed and progress.

3:42

Please stand.

3:47

I pledge allegiance of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

4:05

Can I get somebody to make a motion to adopt the agenda?

4:07

So moved.

4:10

All in favor?

4:11

Aye.

4:11

Aye.

4:12

Any opposed?

4:13

Okay.

4:14

Tonight we are going to begin with the first item on our agenda is very exciting.

4:18

We have with us the Syracuse High School Titan Ladies 6A State Champion Soccer Team.

4:26

Thank you for coming.

4:36

If you ladies could come forward with your coaches and council, how do you do your receipts is a bag if you bring those down with you?

5:05

Okay, so I'm just going to use the use the mic for the purposes of the record.

5:10

But as these ladies come down, anytime our kids in our city do something really wonderful, it brings uh notoriety to the city as well.

5:19

And so we want to reward that and let them know how much we appreciate them.

5:23

So we have council in your bags.

5:26

We have some Syracuse City water bottles we want to give out to all of you as recognition for what you've done.

5:34

We want to you athletes to stay hydrated and do your best.

5:39

So yeah, coaches as well.

5:52

We have one for the coaches, and there may be a couple missing because we did say so.

5:58

Okay, we'll we'll take care of those.

6:00

Anyway, ladies, thank you so much for bringing the good name of Syracuse forward, doing an awesome thing, and we would just like to give you a round of applause.

6:17

If we could get a quick picture for uh our website, please one.

7:32

I mean, the edits of these.

7:45

The next item on our agenda, we want to recognize those who are leaving us, and the city has a recognition.

8:01

All right.

8:02

How are you doing?

8:05

So uh I just want to start off recognizing that we all have 24 hours in a day, right?

8:13

It's the one thing as long as we're alive that we don't get more of or less of than anybody else.

8:19

And um, and it's finite, time is a finite thing, and therefore it becomes a very precious commodity.

8:27

Um so I want to recognize the fact that it is of great sacrifice that someone puts their hat in the ring to run for office and serve their community.

8:40

And uh I'd like to recognize that for everyone.

8:44

Um tonight, though, want to recognize councilwoman Carver, Councilmember Savage, uh, for your service here to the city.

8:54

Um you've you've both uh been uh really great to work with.

9:01

Um and we've got some we've got some uh going away gifts here on behalf of the city and the staff that we're gonna give you.

9:09

So I'll give those to you here at the end.

9:10

But um just wanted to say, you know, first of all, councilwoman uh Carver, we we appreciate that you've you've led with your heart.

9:19

We appreciate that you fought for the things that you believe in, and um that you cared so deeply for for the city's people, uh the employees.

9:31

Um so we want to recognize, I want to recognize that and thank you for that on on behalf of the staff.

9:37

I I want to speak on their behalf here um because I know they feel the same way.

9:41

Um, council member savage.

9:44

Um in the time that I've seen you come to the council and be on the council, I think you know, and both of you have have accomplished many things in your time here.

10:00

But one of the things I wanted to highlight is one what I've noticed during your time is a very significant civility that has permeated the council from when you first started.

10:09

And there were times during those years that you were here where you were kind of the glue that kept the council together from from splintering apart.

10:19

Um, and uh the benefit to the community on having a council that has worked things out.

10:27

Even though you vehemently disagree on some things and you you debate and their spirited debate, uh, you've been able to do it in a way that it doesn't devolve into personal attacks and to to grudges.

10:39

And that has been such a value to this council and to the city and to the staff.

10:45

So I wanted to thank you for for going about your work that way.

10:50

Um, but I'd like to present you this.

10:52

Uh there's a there's a decorative clock in here.

10:55

We've got uh a nice little uh you know, uh water water bottle here and a cozy blanket to hopefully keep you warm in the winters to come, even though you're not on the council anymore.

11:07

So thank you.

11:09

Rode.

11:15

Okay, ladies and gentlemen, the next item on our um agenda tonight is public comment.

11:21

This is a chance for you to bring forward any comments about uh something that may be on the agenda that you'd like to speak on that's not a public hearing, or something you'd like on a future agenda.

11:31

Is there anyone here that would like to speak?

11:33

Hey, come forward and uh for the record, we need you to state your name and address so that we know whether you live here or not.

11:58

Mayor and council members, thank you for the time to be able to come uh and express some concerns that we have.

12:05

Um, my family particularly has noticed uh an ingress increase of issues at the cemetery.

12:14

And uh we'd like to if you could consider some way to be able to lessen the kind of damage that's being done up there.

12:24

My parents, Headstone uh has two planters like this one on each side.

12:30

And um, and recently this one was broke off and left there on the ground.

12:36

My nephew uh has had some damage done to his uh and then uh my daughter uh who her uh her infant daughter is buried in the Syracuse Cemetery, uh has had some recent damage done to her headstone.

12:56

And we was wondering, we've considered uh lots of different things, you know, on a personal basis to keep watch uh of these, and that you can't be there 100% of the time.

13:08

So we was we we've as we've looked around that a lot of the cemeteries in the state have cameras, security cameras, so that you can go at least go back to the cameras and try to find out who and how the damage is being done.

13:24

So that's one of the things that we thought that might be able to help us the most is some security cameras.

13:33

Um I also have another member of our family that would like to address the issue that um that my daughter has.

13:41

Right.

13:42

The name is Matt Page.

13:46

Hello, mayor and and city council.

13:48

Thank you for this opportunity.

13:50

This is Mike Smedley.

13:51

He lives on Maxine Drive in Leighton.

13:54

My name is Matthew Page.

13:55

Um, I live at 812 Farmington Crossing in in Farmington.

14:00

Um, I'm here today to read a statement from Mr.

14:05

Smedley's daughter, Blair.

14:08

Um she's unable to be here tonight because she's ill.

14:13

Um this blanket held my Layla Don.

14:19

My baby reached just 10 months of age.

14:22

10 months was all my heart got since her passing 11 years ago.

14:27

My heart has been shattered, fractured by this loss.

14:31

What I never expected is that the sacred ground in which she rests would be cracked, chipped, and hit as every spring, summer, and early fall arrive.

14:40

The grounds are mowed almost as if the graves are an inconvenience, something in the way of the workers as they quickly do their job and leave.

14:48

They get to go home to their sons and daughters.

14:52

My daughter lays in that cemetery, and it's heartrending for my eyes to see the work that damages my baby's bench.

15:01

I've been there and I've talked about these matters with the groundsmen and have called the city many times.

15:06

And yet every year, the same actions damage and desecrate my daughter's resting place.

15:12

It's not only Layla.

15:14

My dad and his two sisters have watched their parents' grave get hit and vases knocked off.

15:18

One aunt lost her beloved son, and her cry heart cries harder as her eyes see the damage done to his grave.

15:27

I can quote the language of what you hear daily about what is expected for the grounds of the Syracuse Cemetery.

15:34

The ordinance notes the cemetery is intended to be a place of memorial observance, contemplation, serenity, solace, and reflection.

15:44

Conduct and activities that unduly interfere with such feelings are not allowed.

15:49

And that's the end of that quote for the ordinance there.

15:52

But every year, groundskeepers violate that ordinance by their actions.

15:58

Some of you may have visited some of our national cemeteries.

16:02

Perhaps you've walked among the gravestones of Gettysburg or stood in Arlington at the tomb of the unknown soldier, and watched that infantryman man his post.

16:14

Or maybe you've walked in the bluffs above Normandy in one of those cemeteries there, above the beaches where so many gave the last full measure of devotion.

16:23

Can you imagine the outrage you would feel if you went to one of those cemeteries and the sacred ground was not cared for well and was damaged, the headstones were damaged.

16:34

To me, the Syracuse Cemetery is the most sacred ground on earth because my daughter is there.

16:40

I know it is just as sacred to others whose loved ones lay there.

16:44

It is the city's responsibility to place the needed protection and security that many hearts cry out for.

16:51

Please protect this sacred ground.

16:53

Thank you for hearing what has been broken.

16:55

Please take the steps to show the respect and love that these grounds deserve.

17:00

Thank you again for your time.

17:01

Thank you.

17:02

Thank you.

17:02

And Councilwoman Carver and Councilman Savage, thank you for your service.

17:26

Uh resident currently of West Point, former Syracuse, a few times, some years ago.

17:31

Here with you tonight because I am running for Davis County Sheriff, and I've felt it applicable to go through all the councils and speak with the city council members and mayors within Davis County.

17:43

Davis County, um it has been my absolute favorite place to live.

17:48

I've lived abroad.

17:48

I've lived in many different states.

17:50

This is the one we have chose to raise my kids.

17:53

Um my points with this campaign is my interests are in protecting our kids, being relentless on crime, upholding, supporting, and defending the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah.

18:06

Focus in being prepared for cybercrime and artificial intelligence, which is going to be one of our next challenges within law enforcement.

18:14

I'm also finding a big requirement to be able to work well with other elected officials.

18:22

I've been going through meeting with state representatives, house representatives within Davis County, and state senators because I know that law enforcement doesn't have all the answers.

18:32

I know that we can work better when we work together.

18:35

And I'm interested in the complaints and concerns and issues that all the cities are facing, as well as the sheriff's office, and how we can be less of a burden on the cities.

18:47

My background, I've had the ple the absolute honor and privilege to serve the city, county, state, and federal level.

18:53

The city I work part-time as a firefighter paramedic out of North Davis Fire, full-time I work at the sheriff's office where I'm internal affairs investigator.

19:01

And then on the on the state and federal, I am in the Utah Air National Guard as an intelligence officer.

19:07

It's been 14 years so far in the military on the listed side.

19:10

Uh, deployed the Middle East deployed to this to uh eastern Europe.

19:14

Um, I've worked with many different people, many different faiths, many different backgrounds and beliefs.

19:20

But the common theme is always the goal and what the mission is.

19:23

I believe I can work with anybody to be able to accomplish the goal and serve the citizens of Davis County and such of Syracuse to the utmost ability.

19:32

I'm always open to dialogue.

19:34

Please, if you have any questions, concerns, I want to hear them.

19:37

I believe I have answers.

19:38

I believe too often we just say no, and too often we say it's too complicated.

19:43

But I think they're always answers.

19:45

I do have a website again, John Akin.

19:47

I'll leave a couple cards on this podium.

19:49

Love to talk to anybody, any one of you would be fantastic, but also any members of Syracuse City itself, because I know that if I do make it in, I am elected as sheriff, I represent everybody within this county.

20:00

Again, thank you for your time and have a good evening.

20:05

Is there anyone else?

20:08

Okay, seeing none, I will close public comment and move on to Mayor and Council reports and announcements.

20:15

Do you have any?

20:16

No, but I I would like to say to Jordan and Jen that uh during the time you've been on the council.

20:23

Um there's been things that you've promoted or projects that you've been behind that.

20:28

I wasn't quite sure how it would turn out, and it turned out remarkably well.

20:33

Um, you've taught me the importance of listening a little bit closer and thinking a little bit broader, and I want to thank both of you.

20:40

Uh, you'll be missed.

20:43

Julie.

20:45

Likewise to Jordan and Jen.

20:48

Appreciate you guys.

20:49

Everything that you've taught me.

20:51

Don't go too far.

20:52

Don't move away, Jen.

20:54

Why was that like spat right at me?

20:58

I read your Facebook.

21:01

I don't have anything tonight, Mayor.

21:03

Oh.

21:04

Um, I don't have any announcements, but I want to echo the sentiment to uh Jordan and Jen.

21:10

Thank you for your service to the city.

21:12

Um, it's easy to complain.

21:15

It's easy to talk the talk.

21:16

The very few walk the walk, put in the effort to run for city council, um, put in years of service, take time away from their personal lives and family.

21:27

Um, and so I I thank you for your both of you for your service.

21:32

And while we many times disagreed and maybe um you know, had lively debates.

21:40

Um, I am still grateful for those things that uh you've accomplished and your efforts that you put forth um on the city council.

21:48

So thank you.

21:50

Jordan.

21:51

Thanks.

21:52

I would like to mention, I think we agreed far more often than we disagreed.

21:55

Yeah, I think he was talking to me.

21:57

Thanks to say, but no, it's been a real pleasure.

22:00

Um, I don't have anything new since our last meeting for the waste management district.

22:05

Um, I think we've made amazing strides there.

22:06

Uh, thank you all for working on that.

22:09

Uh there's a lot of stuff still going on, a lot of balls in the air, and I trust you guys to do an amazing job to keep all those keep all those up in the air.

22:19

Good luck.

22:20

Thank you.

22:20

Jennifer.

22:21

Um, it has been an honor and a pleasure.

22:24

And to our city employees, thank you for all the lessons.

22:28

I learned a lot.

22:30

Um, but I would like to give you guys last numbers for this for the museum.

22:34

Um, in 2023, there was only 868 visitors to the Syracuse City Museum.

22:40

In 2024, there was 3,853.

22:45

And as of today, for 2025, there has been 8,000 103.

22:52

But while we were there, um, a gentleman from Bazeville, Arkansas stopped in.

22:57

So it's now 8,104.

23:00

So congratulations to them.

23:02

They have brought that up a ton.

23:03

That's all I got.

23:04

Okay.

23:05

Uh, next item on our agenda is uh approval of minutes.

23:09

Uh, we have minutes for November 18th and both the work and uh business session.

23:16

Are there any adjustments anybody'd like to make?

23:19

If not, I'll take a motion.

23:22

Motion to approve the uh November 18, 20, 25 minutes for both sessions.

23:28

Second.

23:29

Motion made and seconded.

23:31

All in favor?

23:32

Aye.

23:32

Aye.

23:33

Any opposed?

23:34

Motion passes unanimous.

23:35

We have two items on our consent agenda tonight.

23:38

The first is proposed ordinance 25-42, amending the Syracuse Municipal Code to include the adoption of the Utah Wild uh Wildlands Urban Interface Code required by House Bill 48.

23:51

And then propose that uh resolution R25-44 appointing members to the Syracuse City Architectural Review Committee as outlined in the packet.

24:03

Any questions on those?

24:05

Um, was it just the architectural committee that was yes?

24:09

Okay.

24:11

The architectural, yeah, that was on another issue that was in the next item for business.

24:15

The architectural review committee.

24:17

Um, I went to their last meeting and only one member was there.

24:21

So we have to boost this up.

24:23

And we had a couple of uh uh appointees that lapsed this summer and got missed.

24:29

So we're appointing those, and then we had a couple of move outs.

24:33

So we're replacing those as well.

24:35

Okay.

24:35

Yep, I see it now.

24:36

Perfect.

24:38

All right.

24:39

Uh can I get a motion?

24:41

Uh I move that we accept the items on the consent agenda as outlined.

24:45

Second.

24:46

Moved and seconded.

24:47

All in favor.

24:47

Aye.

24:48

Aye.

24:48

Any opposed.

24:50

That passes unanimously.

24:51

The next item is the one you're probably mentioning.

24:54

Uh, action items.

24:55

Uh, we can take these in a lot, but this is pertaining to the city's statewide, uh, the city's participation in the statewide America 250 celebration.

25:04

Uh we need to authorize and execute the America or to execute America 250 logo usage agreement.

25:12

And we need to propose that we uh create and support the America 250 um uh Utah and re and rec or recognize and approving of the Syracuse Utah 250 community committee.

25:29

And we're asking that we form that committee tonight.

25:32

Um, I was going to wait and do this with the next year, but uh there is some grant money that if we have formed this by the end of the year, we are able to apply for.

25:42

So we want to do that.

25:43

And then the last is to authorize the mayor to execute a memorandum of understanding between America 250 Utah Commission and Syracuse City that would get us that grant.

25:54

Oh let's do it.

25:57

Okay, so we're not on a committee.

26:01

Is there anyone who has any questions about this?

26:07

If not, I'll take a motion.

26:11

I move that we authorize administration to execute American 250 logo usage agreement.

26:16

I move that we off uh approve the proposed resolution R25-43, and I move that we authorize Mayor Mond to execute the memorand memorandum of understanding um with America 250 Utah Commission.

26:31

Second, moved and seconded.

26:33

All in favor?

26:34

Aye.

26:35

Any opposed that passes unanimously.

26:39

Item number eight presentation of fiscal year 2024-2025 audit by Gilbert and Sullivan CPAs.

26:49

And I'm guessing they might be online.

26:51

Is that correct, Steve?

26:52

That is correct.

26:53

Mayor.

26:54

Usually all right.

26:55

So we will uh Steve, anything you want to preface before we turn it over to them.

27:00

I just want to quickly say that uh this is for the fiscal year 2024-2025.

27:05

So July 1st, 2024 to June 30th, 2025.

27:10

Uh Ron Stewart with Gilbert and Stewart is online and he's ready to present.

27:15

Okay.

27:16

This is just an audit uh that we have independently outside of the city to make sure everything is correct.

27:22

Ron, would you like to take it away and share your findings?

27:26

Thank you very much.

27:27

Thank you for allowing me to be here tonight.

27:30

Um like I said, Ron Stewart, uh Gilbert and Stewart CPAs.

27:35

Grateful to be able to be a part of your city and to provide this service.

27:39

What I'll do is just quickly go through the areas that we uh looked at, um, the conclusions that we came to and how we came to those conclusions.

27:48

There's there's really three areas of a city and potentially a fourth area that we look at each year.

27:54

Um, the first one is we want to make sure the financial statements are materially correct, that they meet accounting standards and they're um they can be relied upon.

28:03

The second thing we do is we look at internal controls to make sure that they're effectively um they were designed, implemented, and they're actually effectively working.

28:11

And the third is we want to look at state compliance.

28:15

Um state law based on those areas that we looked at during that fiscal year.

28:21

And then fourth, if you spend more than 750,000 in federal dollars, um, then there you're subject to a uniform guidance or a single audit.

28:30

Uh so those are the four areas that we looked at this year.

28:34

Um so quickly, I'll just go through the financial statements.

28:37

Um, we take the trial balance of the city or the books of the city, and we perform a number of tests on those to make sure that those are materially correct.

28:45

And then they do uh meet those accounting standards.

28:48

Uh we send out confirmations, so we'll send out a confirmations to a third party for cash, accounts receivable, long-term debt, uh, major revenues, and uh pension obligations with the state.

29:01

Um we look at a significant number of invoices.

29:03

Uh, we'll pull a sample at the beginning of the audit um just to look to see if things are coded properly, if um if the controls are being followed, um, if it's being properly uh posted in the correct period.

29:17

We also look at uh capital assets.

29:20

Um we'll pull invoices for those.

29:22

We'll pull the number of invoices after the fiscal year end um to make sure that the expenses were posted in the proper period.

29:30

So something happened in June, but it wasn't paid for in July.

29:32

We want to make sure that that expense hit June when it was actually incurred.

29:36

Um and then other accrued liabilities and other areas that we just look at and and feel like we need to get them a little bit more uh detail and understanding of there's a number of balances that are calculated on the financial statements, accrued payroll, depreciation expense, compensated absences, accrued interest, um, pension obligations, those things.

29:55

Um so we go back and relook at those calculations, make sure those are calculated correctly and according with accounting standards.

30:02

We do a lot of analytical reviews.

30:04

We'll look at the beginning of the year, um, compare it with the this year compared to last year, the year before, to make sure we can understand what balances of what changes have happened in those balances.

30:16

We do that at the beginning of the audit.

30:18

We also do that as we're testing individual balances.

30:20

We'll look and compare this year to last year.

30:23

And then at the end of the audit as the financial statements are written, we look at it a third time to make sure we can account for all those differences and we understand what happened.

30:31

Um so that's plus a number of other things that we do uh to to make ourselves comfortable that the financial statements do meet those accounting standards.

30:40

Um in our auditors report, uh the paragraph says, in our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, business type activities, each major fund and aggregate remaining fund information of the city as of June 30th, 2025, and the respective changes in financial position and where applicable cash flows thereof for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles, generally accepted the United States of America.

31:09

That's an unmodified opinion, a clean opinion, or the best opinion you can receive.

31:14

So in short, that means that through our testing and evaluations, we feel like the financial statements do meet accounting standards and then they can relied upon on what actually happened within your city during the year.

31:27

Second thing we look at is internal controls.

31:29

Um we don't give an opinion on controls, we do evaluate those.

31:33

We do that through interviews, uh, walkthroughs, questionnaires.

31:37

Um so as we're going through the process of our audit, we're looking to see if those controls are being followed.

31:42

Um we do interviews with with city staff, and then we'll pull um certain areas of the city and we'll just walk through uh we'll take a cash disbursement and and go from the point of when the purchase all the way through to the financial statements and make sure those controls are being followed.

31:58

Um if there was a portion of your city that didn't have controls, or those controls are just not designed or were not effective, um, we would bring that to you to your attention either as a material weakness or as a significant deficiency.

32:11

Um, through our interviews and walkthroughs, we feel like the controls within your city are working, that they're designed and that they're effective.

32:18

Um, so there was no issues that we needed to bring to your attention this evening.

32:24

Um, the third thing is uh state compliance.

32:27

So the state gives us certain areas that we need to look at this year or every year.

32:32

Um it kind of rotates between different areas within within the city.

32:37

So this year we looked at budgetary compliance, fund balance, justice court, fraud risk assessment, restricted taxes, government fees, impact fees, enterprise fund transfers, crime insurance, and tax levy.

32:52

Um we as we're going through uh our evaluations, this state auditor gives us certain areas to look at and procedures to perform.

33:03

We go through and perform those procedures and to come to a conclusion.

33:08

Um, and I forgot to pull this up, so give me just one second.

33:11

So I can pull this up really quick.

33:25

Dave to help me.

33:26

I think there's one finding uh with a uh being over budget in one of the funds.

33:33

Um obviously we need to um evaluate those as we're going through those uh budget hearings to make sure that we're um making sure those budget numbers are right.

33:48

Yeah, that's what you're looking for.

33:50

Uh he was looking for the buttons on page 107.

33:56

Yep.

33:56

So in the in the colendary water fund, we were over budget by um 300,000.

34:01

Um so, like I said, as we are amending our budgets to make sure we're we're looking at those numbers uh to make sure we're in compliance with those.

34:08

All of the other areas we were in compliance with.

34:11

Um, so there are no findings uh other than that.

34:14

Um the fourth area that we look at, because we did spend over 750,000 in federal dollars, we're required to have a single audit.

34:22

Um, each area of the federal government has compliance uh issues of how you spend that money.

34:29

Um so we look at those compliance areas, um, test the the expenses of those dollars against that compliance to make sure that we're we're meeting those uh criteria through our valuations and that we feel like you are controlled uh spending those monies based on how the federal government is is allocating those and want you to spend those.

34:50

So there's no findings, no issues as far as the single audit goes.

34:55

So it's kind of a really quick review of what we do as auditors and the conclusions that we came to and how we came to those.

35:01

Um I'd be happy to answer any questions anybody has.

35:05

Council, do you have any questions?

35:07

I do not from me.

35:11

See none, uh, we will thank you for your presentation.

35:14

This is not a voting item tonight, uh, but we appreciate that.

35:18

Thank you, Ron.

35:19

And if I could just uh give a shout out to the city staff, um, Steve and Brooke, they do a great job.

35:24

We throw a lot of stuff at them in a real quick hurry, and they do a great job of providing that.

35:29

Um we you can tell uh your your city's in good hands with us too.

35:33

So thank you.

35:34

Thank you.

35:35

We appreciate that.

35:36

Item number nine is to authorize the administration to award the contract for bluff drive improvement projects.

35:42

Robert, we recently had a bit on this.

35:44

Would you like to share with the council where we came out?

35:48

Yes.

35:49

Council.

35:50

So this is a project for the Bluff Drive neighborhood.

35:55

Um, it will involve upgrading water mains, sec uh putting a secondary, bringing the secondary into the street rather than backyard mains.

36:05

And uh part of it is a requirement from the state to put meters on all secondary water.

36:12

So this fulfills that and a little bit of uh storm drain and sewer work while we're there.

36:17

So um we had 12 bids come in and low bid was with uh Saunders excavation for one million four fifty-five thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight um dollars, which was uh under budget by 915,000 dollars.

36:44

So really, really good.

36:46

All of these bids were really good bids.

36:49

Uh, nothing super low, nothing super high.

36:51

So they were really um really well done.

36:56

So that's what's presented here.

36:59

Thank you.

37:00

And I'm excited.

37:01

I remember years and years ago when we were lucky to get two or three bids for stuff like this.

37:06

And the fact that we're getting 12 bids means we're doing some things right.

37:09

So thank you for that.

37:11

Council, any questions on this?

37:15

If not, I'll take a motion.

37:22

I'll go ahead and make that.

37:23

Um Mr.

37:24

Mayor, I move that we authorize administration to award a contract for Bluff Drive Improvement Project to Saunders Excavation.

37:32

Okay.

37:34

Motion made and seconded.

37:35

All in favor.

37:36

Aye, aye.

37:37

Any opposed.

37:39

Motion passes unanimously.

37:41

Robert, we'll go with you with the next one, which is an award of contract for ground maintenance services.

37:47

So our grounds maintenance contract uh has expired.

37:51

And um, so we re-bid this out.

37:56

We add five bids come in.

37:58

Low bid is Franklin Sprinkler and Lawn Care.

38:01

Um they happen to be the current one who who has been maintaining all of our city grounds.

38:08

So the city grounds include this this city campus, which is city hall, police station, museum, uh, as well as some of the smaller uh detention basins.

38:20

So um so this is uh bid to award as a requester award that contract to Franklin.

38:32

Let's see what Franklin Sprinkler and Repair LLC.

38:37

Council, any questions?

38:40

If not, I'll take a motion on that.

38:45

Mr.

38:45

Mayor, I move that we authorize administration to award contract for grounds maintenance services to the locations in the packet to Franklin Sprinkler Repair LLC.

38:56

Second.

38:56

Moved and seconded.

38:57

All in favor.

38:58

Aye.

38:59

Any opposed?

39:00

That also passes unanimously.

39:02

Next one is to authorize administration to award contract for park and ride lots grounds maintenance.

39:08

Robert.

39:14

All right.

39:15

Uh this one we also bid out for the park and ride lots.

39:20

There's both lots, the antelope one and the one on 2000 West.

39:25

So these are new uh pieces of property the city has acquired from UDOT and will require some maintenance.

39:34

Thank you.

39:34

Uh, we did have two bids come in uh recently, Brightview Landscape and Yardmasters.

39:40

Both of them were very, very close uh in costs.

39:46

Um, and we've got that lined out in the in the packet.

39:49

So uh low bid is yard masters, and uh so this is uh um just consideration to award the maintenance of those to yard masters.

40:04

One thing to note is because this is something that's kind of a it happened outside the planned budget year.

40:12

This will have to just be added in a like a budget opening, probably closer to the end of this fiscal year, but it's not a large amount.

40:22

We're looking approximately 16,000 dollars for like a full 12 month period.

40:28

So it's probably a pretty good deal, I think.

40:30

So okay, any questions?

40:34

Yep.

40:35

All right, at this time I'll take a motion.

40:38

I motion, I move that we authorize administration to award contract for park and ride lots grounds maintenance to Yard Masters.

40:47

Second.

40:48

Moved and seconded.

40:49

All in favor?

40:50

Aye.

40:51

Any opposed.

40:53

Okay, I'm gonna take a point of privilege here just for a moment and ask for your help, council, while we're on this topic.

40:59

Um it has become kind of a new thing in cities that you dot has decided they don't want park and rides and they are turning these over to cities, which we've discussed before, and that's a wonderful thing.

41:12

But Robert brought to my attention that um because of the way that UDOT owned these in the past, uh, class C road funds are not allowed to be used to maintain things like resurfacing or repairs on this road surface.

41:27

So I've already reached out to several legislators and asked that they amend uh the law at the state level to allow class C road uh funds to be used on these parking lots as well.

41:40

I'm asking for your support that you would if you see or meet or greet uh anyone in the legislature that you mention that this would be a big help.

41:49

Okay, so I've mentioned it a few times.

41:51

Just if you'll help me with that, we might be able to get that changed.

41:55

And that there's just no way to fund these otherwise.

41:58

So we appreciate it.

41:59

Are you turning us into lobbyists?

42:01

Yes.

42:02

Yes, that you have a new job after today.

42:05

Dang.

42:06

Okay.

42:08

Unless you vehemently are in vehemently are opposed to that idea, but we need do need to figure out how to support these new services.

42:17

All right.

42:17

Item number 12 is proposed resolution uh 25-43 general plan or general map amendment for property located approximately uh 741 west, 3700 south from commercial to low density.

42:33

Noah, tell us what we don't know about this already.

42:37

Okay, uh item number 12 and number 13 are kind of connected.

42:42

Uh, one's a general plan and one's the zoning.

42:45

Um, all the information should be in the packet.

42:48

Uh, but as a quick overview, uh the request is to the reason for the request is so that there's actually two is because there's two houses on one lot, and so they're trying to subdivide it so each lot each house can be on its own lot to sell separately.

43:05

That's the main gist.

43:06

And the current zoning, the lot, the the lots that they want to create around each house were too small for the current zoning.

43:13

So they gotta change all that.

43:17

Okay.

43:18

Council, we did discuss this in a work session.

43:20

Are there any questions?

43:23

Now we require that it has to match the general plan, right?

43:27

Because I would rather do them 13 before we do 12.

43:31

No, I actually want the general plan to stay as commercial.

43:34

And I'm okay moving these to residential to the R2 so they can split the lot, but I actually think commercial is still the highest and best used for this area.

43:43

Yeah, if you look at the general plan, that's why it's general plan for commercial because it's the intersection of busy.

43:50

I want to leave it as that.

43:51

I I'm all I see what they're trying to do and allow them to go forward and be able to sell the lot and or subdivide whatever.

43:57

That little bit of information was left out in the works that shouldn't uh, which it's there, right?

44:01

But yeah, I mean I'm okay if it's going to R2, but I would rather keep it as general plan commercial.

44:06

So let's consider that.

44:08

Uh he's proposing that we may not approve the um uh commercial to low density, but also approve the A1 to R2 in the next item.

44:19

Does that cause a problem for the city?

44:22

I mean, we do have an ordinance that says that we're supposed to match the the general plan.

44:28

The general plan is a guiding document.

44:30

You know, we have a lot of properties that are not zoned congruent with the general plan.

44:36

We use it to inform our decisions.

44:39

I don't know if Colin has any worries about having a property that it wouldn't be consistent with the general plan.

44:48

It's always better if we are consistent, but I don't believe that this would be a problem.

44:53

Okay.

44:54

So now we know where we stand on those.

44:57

Uh open discussion.

45:00

Uh I think I said what I want to do.

45:02

Okay.

45:03

I know I would tend to agree with Jordan that the the if it doesn't cause us any legal issue, I'd rather have the general plan stay.

45:12

You know, signal that that area is for commercial as well.

45:15

I think one of the things to consider is if they were doing this so that they can sell the properties individually, then leaving it as the general plan opens up the possibility that future ownership could do what we think is the highest and best use.

45:30

So that makes some sense.

45:33

Any other comments.

45:37

Can I get a motion on item 12 then?

45:41

Sure.

45:41

I move that we reject ordinance 2543 general plan amendment for property located at 741 West 3700 South from commercial to low density.

45:51

Second.

45:52

Moved and seconded.

45:53

All in favor of rejecting the ordinance.

45:56

Aye.

45:58

Any opposed?

45:59

Okay, that passes unanimously.

46:01

And now we'll move on to the proposed ordinance 25-44, the zoning map amendment to change the property from A1 to R2.

46:11

And I think since we've already discussed this, I'll go ahead and take a motion.

46:17

I move that we accept ordinance 2544, zoning map amendment for property located at approximately 741 West, 3700 south from agriculture A1 to residential R2.

46:29

Second.

46:30

Moved and seconded.

46:31

All in favor.

46:32

Aye.

46:33

Any opposed.

46:34

That motion also passes unanimously.

46:37

At this point, council, I'm going to take a recess from this meeting and take us into our work session.

46:44

We do have one item that needs to be addressed because of a timing issue.

46:49

And that is so let me call to order our work session and item B is discussion regarding emergency services.

46:58

This is a provision for ambulance services that suddenly, because of Senate Bill 215 in 2025, we need to address this.

47:07

Aaron, share with us the chaos they've created in our answer any questions.

47:23

Uh prior to our license being renewed, which is March 31st of next year.

47:30

And uh so I just this was basically to let the council know not to be surprised when you see an RFP come out for 911 services.

47:38

So that should be coming out hopefully here by the end of the year.

47:43

So this is not an action item, it's more of an awareness item.

47:46

Do anybody have uh discussion at this point?

47:49

Yeah, so when I was reading through it, I I saw that it was specifically for transport.

47:53

Was it is it all ambulance services and transport?

47:56

Transport and inner facility, yeah.

47:58

Any transport, ambulance transport.

48:00

Yes, and transport.

48:01

Right.

48:01

Yep.

48:02

It's not taking over the 91 services of the community itself.

48:06

Not for fire, it would be for EMS.

48:08

Oh, for EMS, it would be.

48:09

So would these be running out of our fire stations, or they would have to set up stations?

48:13

Yeah, they have absolutely no idea.

48:15

Okay.

48:16

That is the best answer.

48:18

I love that.

48:18

I was just curious what the logistics would look like, but there is there is no law on that yet.

48:24

So in fact, they could propose to run out of our fire station, then they'd have to figure out some way that we would agree to it, which we do not have to.

48:32

But we could lease space, but uh let's just hope that we can continue to provide service.

48:38

Yeah, we there's there's little as we have those assets.

48:43

I don't know how they could compete with us.

48:45

And that that is what it is.

48:47

It's the competition.

48:48

And if we look at the the healthy side of this, I guess if there is one, is that it it gives our community some assurances that we are providing a really good service at a better cost than anybody else coming in from the outside.

49:01

Okay, thank you, Chief.

49:02

Any other questions or things to bring up?

49:06

It is kind of a nebulous bill, just so you know it's not very clear.

49:11

All right, so I will now close our work session.

49:14

Thank you, Aaron.

49:16

And let's go back to item number 14.

49:19

Our last moment for public comment this year.

49:22

Is there anyone who would like to make public comment before we close out the year?

49:30

Seeing none, I will close public comment and look for a motion to adjourn.

49:35

Jordan.

49:37

So moved.

49:38

Second.

49:39

Moved and seconded.

49:40

All in favor?

49:41

Aye.

49:42

Aye.

49:43

Any opposed.

49:44

We are adjourned and will not meet again till January.

49:50

Saving

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation███████████████████19%
Public Safety█████████████████17%
Procedural██████████████14%
Fiscal Sustainability██████████████14%
Personnel Matters████████8%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Miscellaneous██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management██████6%
Arts And Culture████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Syracuse City Council Meeting - December 10, 2025

The Syracuse City Council convened for a evening of recognition, public testimony, and administrative decisions. The meeting featured a celebration of the Syracuse High School State Champion Soccer Team, emotional farewells to departing Councilmembers Carver and Savage, and significant public concern regarding the condition of the city cemetery. The council unanimously passed several contracts, approved zoning changes, and rejected a General Plan amendment related to property at 741 West 3700 South.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of minutes from November 18, 2025 (Work and Business Sessions).
  • Proposed Ordinance 25-42: Adoption of the Utah Wildlands Urban Interface Code (HB 48).
  • Proposed Resolution R25-44: Appointment of new members to the Syracuse City Architectural Review Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Concerns regarding Cemetery Damage: A resident (father-in-law of a cemetery visitor) raised concerns about increased damage to headstones and planters at the Syracuse Cemetery. They suggested the installation of security cameras to identify perpetrators, noting that personal surveillance is impossible 100% of the time.
  • Matthew Page: Read a statement on behalf of his ill daughter, Blair Smedley. Smedley described heartbreak over repeated damage to her 10-month-old daughter's grave and other family plots by groundskeepers who allegedly treat the graves as inconveniences. She cited city ordinances requiring the cemetery to be a place of "serenity, solace, and reflection," arguing that the current maintenance practices violate this and desecrate the "sacred ground." She expressed a position of urgent need for protection and respect for the dead.
  • John Akin (Candidate for Davis County Sheriff): Stated his position supporting the protection of children, relentless crime enforcement, and the U.S. and Utah Constitutions. He expressed a willingness to work with elected officials to prevent cities from becoming a burden and proposed focusing on emerging threats like cybercrime and artificial intelligence.

Discussion Items

  • Departing Councilmembers: The Mayor and Councilmembers expressed warm appreciation for Councilmember Carver (praised for leading with heart and caring for the city's people) and Councilmember Savage (praised for maintaining civility and acting as the "glue" that kept the council from splintering despite spirited debate).
  • Public Comment on Cemetery: The Mayor acknowledged the emotional weight of the testimony regarding the cemetery desecration.
  • Audit Presentation: Ron Stewart of Gilbert and Sullivan CPAs presented the FY2024-2025 audit. He noted a "clean opinion" (unmodified opinion) on financial statements, effective internal controls, and generally sound state compliance. He identified one specific issue: the Colendary Water Fund was over budget by $300,000, noting the need to monitor budget amendments.
  • America 250 Initiative: Council discussed the urgency of forming the Syracuse Utah 250 committee to qualify for grants before year-end.
  • Bluff Drive Improvement: Robert presented 12 bids received; the low bid from Saunders Excavation was significantly under budget ($1,455,968). A councilmember noted the high number of bids as a sign of successful city procurement practices.
  • Ground Maintenance Contracts: Council discussed renewing grounds maintenance for city facilities and awarding a new contract for park and ride lot maintenance (Yard Masters). A councilmember raised a position seeking legislative support to amend state law, allowing Class C road funds to be used for the maintenance of newly acquired park and ride lots.
  • Zoning and General Plan (741 West 3700 South): Debate arose regarding two connected items: amending the General Plan from Commercial to Low Density (to allow splitting a lot with two houses) and amending the zoning from Agriculture A1 to Residential R2. Councilmember Jordan expressed a position that the General Plan should remain Commercial, citing the high traffic intersection and the desire to signal the "highest and best use" for future development, even if the immediate zoning change to R2 is approved. Council supported the idea of keeping the General Plan Commercial to allow future flexibility.
  • Work Session - Emergency Services: Chief Aaron discussed the potential impact of Senate Bill 215 (2025), which may introduce competition for EMS transport services. The discussion highlighted uncertainty regarding logistics and the potential for private entities to operate out of fire stations, though the Chief noted the city's competitive advantage in cost and service quality.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion Passed: Unanimously approved the award of the Bluff Drive Improvement Project contract to Saunders Excavation.
  • Motion Passed: Unanimously approved the award of Ground Maintenance Services to Franklin Sprinkler and Repair LLC.
  • Motion Passed: Unanimously approved the award of Park and Ride Lots Ground Maintenance to Yard Masters.
  • Motion Passed: Unanimously rejected Ordinance 25-43 (General Plan Amendment) to change the property at 741 West 3700 South from Commercial to Low Density.
  • Motion Passed: Unanimously approved Ordinance 25-44 (Zoning Map Amendment) to change the property at 741 West 3700 South from Agriculture A1 to Residential R2.
  • Motion Passed: Unanimously authorized the administration to execute the America 250 logo usage agreement, approved the resolution to form the Syracuse Utah 250 community committee, and authorized the Mayor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the America 250 Utah Commission.
  • Meeting Adjourned: The meeting ended with no further public comment, and the Council will not meet again until January.

Meeting Transcript

Oh right. Are we around? Come on in and have a seat, ladies. Come on in up front. That's a good idea. Maybe all the women's sports except for our watchment. Even polo. I love full wave sounds games. I like what it is for. That's what I really want. I don't have Julie. I'm ready to tell me. I mean it well, I figured it's possible for now, but it is clear that Jordan and I are closing this one night because they just get emotional. Very small. Thank you for stories on the problems. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, it is six o'clock, so I will call this meeting to order for the Syracuse here in December. Uh tonight, we will begin with an invocation or thought. Uh Jordan, would you provide that? And then uh Jennifer, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Our Father in Heaven, we are truly grateful to be to be gathered together today. Opportunity to be a little kinder to each other. Please bless us as we go about our days that we can care for those in need and be mindful of others. We are truly grateful for the opportunities we've been given and for this great city. Please bless us as we consider these items in the agenda that we can be wise in our approach and make those decisions that we'll be able to help all of us the Syracuse citizens to succeed and progress. Please stand. I pledge allegiance of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Can I get somebody to make a motion to adopt the agenda? So moved. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Tonight we are going to begin with the first item on our agenda is very exciting. We have with us the Syracuse High School Titan Ladies 6A State Champion Soccer Team. Thank you for coming. If you ladies could come forward with your coaches and council, how do you do your receipts is a bag if you bring those down with you? Okay, so I'm just going to use the use the mic for the purposes of the record. But as these ladies come down, anytime our kids in our city do something really wonderful, it brings uh notoriety to the city as well. And so we want to reward that and let them know how much we appreciate them. So we have council in your bags. We have some Syracuse City water bottles we want to give out to all of you as recognition for what you've done. We want to you athletes to stay hydrated and do your best. So yeah, coaches as well. We have one for the coaches, and there may be a couple missing because we did say so. Okay, we'll we'll take care of those. Anyway, ladies, thank you so much for bringing the good name of Syracuse forward, doing an awesome thing, and we would just like to give you a round of applause. If we could get a quick picture for uh our website, please one. I mean, the edits of these. The next item on our agenda, we want to recognize those who are leaving us, and the city has a recognition.

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