Hyde Park City Council Meeting 7.22.2026

- The council approved the July 8 minutes and the meeting agenda unanimously, then opened resident input but received none. - Police Chief Goodrich reported a busy week for law enforcement, with 145 total calls and 40 in or near Hyde Park, more than half of them priority calls. He also noted staffing challenges, including the loss of one officer to the county, though the department was fully staffed only briefly. - Staff presented site-plan concepts for Legacy Park, suggesting the back portion could accommodate additional parking and potential sports facilities, and they also raised the Logan River Watershed/Hyde Park canal piping project. The council agreed to schedule a public presentation on the canal project, likely in early September, so residents can learn more before next steps. - Mayor Cox announced he will step down as mayor effective August 12 due to worsening health issues, and the city will accept applications to fill the vacancy. Council will review applications and interview finalists at the August 12 meeting before selecting a replacement. - Old Ephraim Elementary’s principal presented the school’s safe routes plan, including proposed crosswalks, sidewalk improvements, and a temporary road closure during drop-off and pickup on part of 300 North. Council members raised concerns about traffic impacts, enforcement, costs, and whether the school district had done enough traffic analysis; staff said the plan would be revisited and questions would be sent to the school district. - The council approved Ordinance 2026-13 creating the Hyde Park Community Reinvestment Agency, with one dissenting vote. The agency is intended to give the city a locally controlled economic development tool for future projects, though council members stressed they want guardrails and a policy framework before using it. - The council approved Ordinance 2026-10 to standardize land use and development definitions and align them with state code. Changes included accessory dwelling unit definitions, a clarified retail sales definition, and formatting updates to the definitions section. - The council also approved Ordinance 2026-11 to stop new applications in the R2 and MXD zones and repeal the RT zone. Staff said no vested applicants would be harmed, and future work will replace these zones with new residential categories and a refined future land use framework. - After reviewing RFP responses for the Active Transportation and Parks Plan, the council selected SE Group over the other finalists. Staff said SE Group stood out for its public engagement approach, and staff will now confirm deliverables and prepare a contract. - The council approved a resolution establishing drawing straws as the city’s “game of lots” if a tie occurs in a future mayoral vacancy selection. Staff also outlined the process for accepting applications, interviewing candidates, and filling the mayoral seat by mid-August.