City Council Meeting - September 24, 2024

Meeting Summary

The Council's September 24 meeting was headlined by a contentious discussion about Family Park, Lehi's newest community park that opened on September 14. The park experienced vandalism just two days after opening and was temporarily closed on September 22 due to staffing constraints and safety concerns, sparking widespread community frustration and misinformation on social media about the park's future hours. Mayor Mark Johnson clarified that the park was never going to be closed on Sundays, contrary to rumors. Councilmember Heather Newall expressed disappointment with community responses, and Councilmember Paul Hancock remarked it was sad that "something that should have been a tremendous community celebration has come to this." Parks and Facilities Manager Steve Marchbanks explained the park's specialized maintenance and staffing needs due to its splash pad, custom equipment, and all-abilities accessibility features. The Council ultimately announced that Family Park would be open every day from 9 a.m. to sunset. The meeting also featured a presentation on the 2300 West road design by the Engineering Department, covering the stretch between 300 North and 900 North where aging right-of-way constraints complicate construction. The Council hosted a Fiber Network Open House at Wines Park before the meeting, showcasing progress on the city's major municipal fiber internet project. A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) presentation outlined the city's priorities for federal funding. On the financial side, the Council held a public hearing on Budget Adjustment #1 for Fiscal Year 2025, considering Resolution #2024-52 to amend the city budget. The agenda also included a public hearing on executive municipal officers' compensation increases. These routine but important fiscal items set the framework for city spending and leadership pay for the year ahead.