Smithfield City, Utah City Council Meeting, Mon, Nov 17th

- The council approved the 10/15/2025 meeting minutes unanimously. The mayor also opened with a strong statement urging residents to stop spreading rumors about the election and police department, emphasizing dignity and direct communication. - Youth council members Allison Harding and Jace Tueller reported upcoming service activities, including the Turkey Trot, Night of Giving, and the Storybook Festival. Council members thanked them for their work and support. - Multiple residents gave public comments, most notably several speaking against Ordinance 2025-19, which would have rezoned 1.4 acres near 385 West Center from single-family residential to multi-family residential. Concerns focused on neighborhood character, traffic, safety, parking, water/sewer impacts, and preserving Smithfield’s small-town feel. - The council approved John Meyer to serve on the Smithfield City Planning Commission and approved Jeff Strait and Russell Smart for the Historical Preservation Commission. Both appointments passed unanimously. - After discussion, the council voted to deny Ordinance 2025-19, so the rezoning request failed. Council members said the site did not fit the neighborhood and that the railroad already serves as a buffer. - The council also voted not to accept a petition for annexation related to S & G Bloom Haven LLC. Members cited access problems, infrastructure concerns, future road planning, and the risk of creating a non-contiguous “island” of property. - Dana canvassed the November 4, 2025 election results, confirming Aaron Rudy as mayor-elect and Chris Olson and JD Downs as elected council members. The council unanimously certified the election results. - Officer Brandon Douglas joined the meeting for a discussion on e-bikes and e-motorcycles. The main concern was high-speed electric motorcycles being ridden by minors without proper licensing or safety equipment, and the city agreed to focus on education and public outreach rather than immediate ordinance changes. - The council approved Ordinance 2025-17, which restricts private roads in residential zones except for intra-block uses. Staff said the change is intended to prevent future maintenance and snow-removal problems, and it will not affect already approved projects. - The council approved Ordinance 2025-25 after a public hearing, requiring individual water meters for each new residential or commercial unit. Staff said the change will prevent billing disputes and unfair cost-sharing, while existing multi-unit setups will be grandfathered in. - Staff gave updates on major projects, including a new 3-million-gallon water tank, a large stormwater project on 10th South, the spring line project, and bridge widening work on 400 West and 800 West. The mayor also announced the retirement of Police Chief Travis Allen effective 1/15/2026, with applications for the position opening soon.