OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Syracuse City Work Session and Special Business Meeting - July 28, 2026

Public Meetings — Tuesday, July 28, 2026
BodySyracuse, Utah
SessionPublic Meetings
DateTuesday, July 28, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:37:35

Transcript — Verbatim
0:00

There.

0:02

I tried to tell him like, dude, you need to get up.

0:04

There's a ram right behind you.

0:05

No, not getting up.

0:06

Not fucking more.

0:10

The Buffalo.

0:12

Oh, yeah.

0:12

That was.

0:12

Did you see Grandpa?

0:13

So then I scared the RAM away, and that's the next thing is his brother came up and helped him up and put his arm around him and then walked up and then we summited it.

0:22

So he deserves interested.

0:36

I think we said yellow.

0:47

Oh, we went there first.

0:49

It was it was a good trip.

0:50

So it was a really good trip.

0:52

I could have spent the week at Yellowstone for the weekend glacier, though.

0:55

I we should have not broken it up to halfway again.

0:59

We did first half of the week and then Wednesday we drove to glacier second half.

1:05

How's it going?

1:06

Sounds fun.

1:06

Was it nice weather up there?

1:08

Oh, there's it was hot.

1:10

It was I love I love that stuff though.

1:12

I love being a national arts.

1:15

Um Arizona, so it's not really fair, right?

1:18

Like it was it was cooler than here, probably like 80s at the highest of 82.

1:25

And then it was like uh it is six o'clock.

1:32

It is six o'clock, so I'm gonna call this meeting to order.

1:35

This is the Syracuse City work session.

1:38

Uh on our agenda, I'm going to address a couple of things unusually here because we have an early item that involves some of our new friends.

1:48

We're grateful that you guys all came.

1:50

What uh was passed on to me was a request that we uh have a discussion about what we might be able to allow for homecoming and other events because it's a discussion item.

2:03

That means that we're going to involve you a little bit in the discussion.

2:06

So you need to in advance decide who represents you.

2:09

It can be an adult or a student, and we'll allow that person to come and join the discussion at the table.

2:15

But like everything else, we have rules we have to follow.

2:18

And so, in fact, if any of you ever did boys' state or girls' state, you might have seen Robert's rules of order.

2:25

Our rules of order are pretty similar.

2:28

And so what it means is you can't just shout out in the middle of a meeting.

2:32

So what your representative will be that person.

2:34

If you feel like you need to address it in your own way, you may, because our first item on our agenda is public comment.

2:42

And any member of the public, including students, uh, could take up to three minutes to make us aware of something that you'd like to have in a future discussion.

2:52

So I make that clear because uh that way you have full opportunity to take advantage of whatever.

2:58

So that said, I'm going to open public comment.

3:02

Public comment is a chance for citizens to bring to the table uh something that we may not have on our agenda.

3:09

We cannot discuss it if it's uh not on the agenda.

3:12

You might be able to bring up something that you want us to put on a future agenda, or you might bring something to our attention that we may not be aware of.

3:19

We hope that citizens will do that.

3:21

We give you up to three minutes, and you need to state your name for the record and address so that we know who you are and if you actually live here.

3:28

So those are our rules.

3:30

Does there is there anybody who would like to make a public comment in general tonight?

3:38

Okay, seeing none, I will close public comment.

3:42

Oh, we do.

3:43

Sorry, we have an email one.

3:45

All right, so Marisa will read into the record our emailed public comment.

3:49

Okay, this is from Eric Wilson.

3:52

It says, Dear Mayor Mon and members of the city council, thank you for your continued work on behalf of Syracuse.

3:58

After reviewing this week's packet, my primary interest is the proposed shoreline subdivision on the former Davis school district property.

4:06

I appreciate that the concept includes open space, trails, and amenities that appear to approve upon the previous approved layout, preserving 26% of the property as open space and creating neighborhood connections are positive features.

4:20

At the same time, increasing the development from 16 homes to 39 homes represents a significant change in density before any future rezoning or approval.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulation████████████████████████████████████36%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Economic Development███████████11%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Technology and Innovation█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Community Engagement██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Syracuse City Work Session and Special Business Meeting - July 28, 2026

The Syracuse City Council held a work session on July 28, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM, followed by a special business meeting. The agenda included public comment, a request from Syracuse High School representatives, a pre-application for the Shoreline subdivision, amendments to municipal code, discussion of Economic Development Area (EDA) funds, drone delivery regulations, ambulance procurement, protective headgear for e-bikes/scooters, and the sale of city-owned property. All items were discussed and several actions were taken.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Eric Wilson (via email): Expressed support for the proposed Shoreline subdivision's open space and trails but urged careful evaluation of traffic, school capacity, emergency access, and long-term maintenance, noting the increase from 16 to 39 homes as a significant density change.

Discussion Items

  • Syracuse High School Request (Street Painting, Banners, Signage): Senior class president Emily Skidmore proposed a temporary spirit week street painting on 700 South near the school for the 20th anniversary. Council expressed support, with conditions: design must not interfere with traffic markings, must be positive and non-offensive, and requires staff approval. Council also discussed banners on streetlights and adding a "Titan Way" sign to 700 South. The mayor noted that the city already has a "Titan Way" designation on some signs and will work to add more.
  • Shoreline Subdivision Pre-Application: Brandon Wood (Northwood Group, representing the school district) presented a plan for 39 single-family lots on the former Davis School District property (currently entitled for 16 lots under the existing development agreement). The proposal includes 26% open space, trails, and a playground. Council feedback: prefer minimum lot size of 7,000 square feet (the higher density rung) and 20% open space, rather than mixed lot sizes. The school district will revise the plan and possibly market it with these parameters. If no developer is found, the property may remain undeveloped.
  • Amendments to Municipal Code:
    • Final Plat Approval (Section 8.20.140): To comply with state law, final plat approval will shift from the Planning Commission to a staff team (city engineer, planner, fire marshal). Council supported moving this to the consent agenda for the next business meeting.
    • Zoning Reversion (Section 8.20.70): Proposed ordinance to automatically revert zoning to its previous classification if no substantial progress is made within 18 months, with a possible 1-year extension for good cause. Council discussed the term "substantial progress" and agreed to bring the ordinance to the next business meeting with a suggested 18-month initial term and 1-year extension.
  • Economic Development Area (EDA) Fund Discussion: The EDA (expiring 2028) has generated funds for potential projects. Options presented:
    1. Trail connecting the power corridor to the business area.
    2. Small roundabout at 1000 West and 2700 South (estimated cost ~$1 million).
    3. Incentivize facade improvement for US Cold Storage expansion.
    4. Rent subsidy for commercial buildings (not recommended as previous incentives were unused).
    5. Parking lot for Syracuse Arts Academy (SAA) to alleviate event parking.
    6. Road overlay on E-shift (estimated $600,000). Council prioritized: 1) roundabout, 2) parking lot, 3) road overlay. They declined the rent subsidy and facade incentive, noting alternative grant funding for murals.
  • Drone Delivery Ordinance: Discussion of a proposed ordinance to allow drone delivery (by Wing, for Walmart) within city limits. Council expressed strong support and directed staff to expedite the ordinance for the next meeting.
  • Ambulance Purchase: Fire Chief Aaron requested authorization to order a replacement ambulance now (12-18 month lead time) for the next fiscal year, locking in the price. Council agreed to place it on the next business meeting agenda.
  • Protective Headgear for E-bikes/E-scooters: Discussion of an ordinance requiring persons under 21 to wear helmets on city property (trails, parks, sidewalks) where state law does not apply. Council supported the ordinance, citing safety and enforcement benefits, and moved it to the consent agenda.
  • Real Estate Purchase Contract: City-owned property at 508 West 2700 South was offered for sale. After 12 offers, the highest and best was from the LeBairn family at $376,000 (netting $353,734 after fees). Council determined the sale is in the public interest and approved the contract in a subsequent special business meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Syracuse High School Request: Council approved the concept of street painting (with conditions), banners, and enhanced signage (Titan Way). The school will submit designs for approval.
  • Shoreline Subdivision: Council provided guidance for 7,000+ sq. ft. lots and 20% open space. The school district will revise the plan and may market it accordingly.
  • Final Plat Approval Amendment: Moved to consent agenda for the next business meeting.
  • Zoning Reversion Ordinance: Will be placed on the next business meeting agenda with 18-month initial term and 1-year extension.
  • EDA Projects: Staff will begin planning for the roundabout, parking lot, and road overlay, with possible grant funding to supplement.
  • Drone Delivery Ordinance: Staff to draft ordinance for introduction at the next meeting.
  • Ambulance Purchase: Resolution to authorize ordering will be on the next business meeting agenda.
  • Protective Headgear Ordinance: Moved to consent agenda for adoption.
  • Real Estate Sale: Unanimously approved the purchase contract with the LeBairn family for $376,000.

Meeting Transcript

There. I tried to tell him like, dude, you need to get up. There's a ram right behind you. No, not getting up. Not fucking more. The Buffalo. Oh, yeah. That was. Did you see Grandpa? So then I scared the RAM away, and that's the next thing is his brother came up and helped him up and put his arm around him and then walked up and then we summited it. So he deserves interested. I think we said yellow. Oh, we went there first. It was it was a good trip. So it was a really good trip. I could have spent the week at Yellowstone for the weekend glacier, though. I we should have not broken it up to halfway again. We did first half of the week and then Wednesday we drove to glacier second half. How's it going? Sounds fun. Was it nice weather up there? Oh, there's it was hot. It was I love I love that stuff though. I love being a national arts. Um Arizona, so it's not really fair, right? Like it was it was cooler than here, probably like 80s at the highest of 82. And then it was like uh it is six o'clock. It is six o'clock, so I'm gonna call this meeting to order. This is the Syracuse City work session. Uh on our agenda, I'm going to address a couple of things unusually here because we have an early item that involves some of our new friends. We're grateful that you guys all came. What uh was passed on to me was a request that we uh have a discussion about what we might be able to allow for homecoming and other events because it's a discussion item. That means that we're going to involve you a little bit in the discussion. So you need to in advance decide who represents you. It can be an adult or a student, and we'll allow that person to come and join the discussion at the table. But like everything else, we have rules we have to follow. And so, in fact, if any of you ever did boys' state or girls' state, you might have seen Robert's rules of order. Our rules of order are pretty similar. And so what it means is you can't just shout out in the middle of a meeting. So what your representative will be that person. If you feel like you need to address it in your own way, you may, because our first item on our agenda is public comment. And any member of the public, including students, uh, could take up to three minutes to make us aware of something that you'd like to have in a future discussion. So I make that clear because uh that way you have full opportunity to take advantage of whatever. So that said, I'm going to open public comment. Public comment is a chance for citizens to bring to the table uh something that we may not have on our agenda. We cannot discuss it if it's uh not on the agenda. You might be able to bring up something that you want us to put on a future agenda, or you might bring something to our attention that we may not be aware of. We hope that citizens will do that. We give you up to three minutes, and you need to state your name for the record and address so that we know who you are and if you actually live here. So those are our rules.

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