[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6094595,"mediaKeyId","2842786-d8bddd9b8d992fb2d119e43ef3f65544","parentId",2842786,"title","Votes at a glance: Murray City Council actions on April 1, 2025","audioSeconds",181,"startMs",5375000,"endMs",5556000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842786-d8bddd9b8d992fb2d119e43ef3f65544&start=5375&end=5556","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842786-d8bddd9b8d992fb2d119e43ef3f65544/thumbnail_5375000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6094595/Utah/Votes-at-a-glance-Murray-City-Council-actions-on-April-1-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094595-5a633645080a730871c29531395d0f6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034053&Signature=ltCWLfkWluZR4s8NMOQsbk6IvyCGgmPuIcmQypHhoGbfRALmJe9CwLhmywAcmnKu6svTf72dabUe0PhUS~Qemm4WpZ-R~e9B6eW2mLXKIRqpXVH3W6zpMIe2UDgbe6ULr1bh3s2YJq6o4nux-vUkex~egwqspXjZ3KhqgLsI8V8XfezJX3KDEWmdh-SfPyZlXnqhCtIp3fYOyv0JHKiMGgJ62Tjy8Pv-2JAvAwqf6xed23cZZV4sD1PiVOsKiEYgbD6mJvnsVCyXFNVT5o7QVjqhwJyHQcAkbi9A6034vPDOEsmRh6TBDAFsPbK1Xot7~UyA5MaV9BCbmoWBWUXSfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-01T22:13:15Z","article","The Murray City Council took several administrative, planning and ceremonial actions on April 1, 2025. Below are the items the council voted on, the outcome and key details taken from the public meeting record.

• Cemetery fee ordinance (Section 13.40.050(d)): Council approved an ordinance updating fees at Murray City Cemetery. Staff said many fees were adjusted to reflect comparable public cemetery charges; notable changes include raising the infant lot resident fee from $200 to $400, an increase in disinterment fees (resident disinterment proposed from $1,300 to $2,000), increases in reburial fees, raising niche engraving to better match cost, and higher overtime and weekend rates for after-hours services. The council approved the ordinance on roll call (unanimous Ayes).

• Metro Fire interlocal amendment: Council approved amendments to the interlocal cooperation agreement that (1) remove a requirement that Metro Fire’s operations subcommittee (the chiefs’ committee) meet under the state open-and-public-meetings law (staff and city attorneys advised the committee itself is not subject to that law) and (2) remove a requirement that Metro Fire prepare an annual budget (the agency does not receive direct revenue or prepare a stand-alone budget). The council approved the resolution on a roll call (unanimous Ayes).

• 2024 Municipal Wastewater Planning Program report: The council adopted the city’s required annual wastewater planning report. The report showed the collection system serves roughly 9,600 connections inside the Old Murray service area, reported one Class-2 (basement backup) sanitary sewer overflow caused by debris, and noted record-high system cleaning and television inspections during 2024. The council approved the report on roll call (unanimous Ayes).

• Zoning map and general plan amendment (1300 East / 6500 South): The council approved an ordinance to amend the general plan future land-use map from low-density residential to “residential neighborhood business” and to rezone the property from R-1-8 to RNB. Staff noted the Planning Commission recommended approval and the RNB zone permits smaller-scale mixed use appropriate adjacent to recreational corridors; the council approved the ordinance on roll call (unanimous Ayes).

• Appointments and proclamations: The council confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Sonia Jensen to the Public Safety Advisory Board (term March 1, 2025–March 1, 2028). The council also approved two proclamations: April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month (in partnership with the Murray Exchange Club) and May 1, 2025 as Murray Arbor Day. All of these passed unanimously by roll call.

What this means: Most approval items were routine or administrative and passed by unanimous roll-call votes; the larger, more-discussed development agreement with Rockworth Companies was handled separately and involved split votes (reported in a separate article). Items approved on April 1 will go into effect as specified in each ordinance or as directed by staff.

Votes at a glance (selected):
- Cemetery fee ordinance: Approved (roll-call: unanimous)
- Metro Fire interlocal amendment: Approved (roll-call: unanimous)
- 2024 Wastewater planning report: Approved (roll-call: unanimous)
- 1300 E / 6500 S general plan and zoning amendment (R-1-8 to RNB): Approved (roll-call: unanimous)
- Appointment of Sonia Jensen to Public Safety Advisory Board: Approved (roll-call: unanimous)
- April 2025 — Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation: Approved (roll-call: unanimous)
- May 1, 2025 — Murray Arbor Day proclamation: Approved (roll-call: unanimous)

All votes and roll-call tallies are recorded in the April 1, 2025 meeting minutes and the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Murray City, Live April 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of formal council actions on April 1, 2025: cemetery fee changes, Metro Fire interlocal amendment, municipal wastewater planning report, zoning map amendment, and proclamations and appointments.","taxTitle","Murray City Council, Murray , Salt Lake County, Utah","taxId",21496,"location","Utah","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6094603,"City OKs Salt Lake County interlocal for 2025 municipal election as cost concerns surface",4421,497000,4918000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842786-d8bddd9b8d992fb2d119e43ef3f65544&start=497&end=4918","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842786-d8bddd9b8d992fb2d119e43ef3f65544/thumbnail_497000.jpg","/articles/6094603/Utah/City-OKs-Salt-Lake-County-interlocal-for-2025-municipal-election-as-cost-concerns-surface","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094603-54eb350cd24c1e30d539a0739f051c5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034053&Signature=FLj4bkPw4iI7OVg-QLCf1SYQ9I8m4EqE6QX7x86IlMznCh5X75xygMlGPn8pgK5P42i3EuEdEOw6YFTN69c~tm9XJho8vAQNhosHLHunWcMOws3GBmtTNj517Sc3824scuk2fEBhQzD50limtczf8~DECHT4mCMd29FoUqszNcIEA-zPanJdoJoGpeB9Kaidn56J6B2AeRTE4H2dQ1aG61NFMm9WwqFfIlbFcEQwYmlyn8C9G37JgjMuQOfQHxiVc7osivuoIlGIBFrucjYnKevKmVFTceZBpBbuR6xrsSQv8US41q2jBMabl7SABqbAZBgcx-HtKMaU37xdn5TMxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Murray City Council voted on April 1 to authorize an interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County for county-managed services in Murray’s 2025 municipal election, after staff presented security upgrades, staffing changes and sharply higher cost estimates compared with recent municipal elections.

Brooke Smith, the city presenter, told the council the county will provide a broad suite of services including ballot layout, printing, mailing and delivery, tabulation equipment, post-election audits and secure daily custody procedures for drop-boxes. Smith said the county now employs 24-hour camera surveillance for drop boxes and retains that footage for about a year in response to “recent real and perceived threats,” and that the county has switched from volunteer retrieval of ballots to sheriff’s deputies retrieving ballots daily.

Smith said the county provided cost estimates with a wide range depending on how many jurisdictions hold primaries. To give the council a cushion she recommended budgeting $270,000 for the city’s election; by comparison, staff told the council Murray’s annual recent election costs were roughly $63,400 and roughly $60,000 for the last mayoral election. Smith explained the county’s interlocal policy is to charge “the actual direct cost plus overhead” for services, and the final invoice will reflect actual accrued costs.

Smith also provided local statistics: the city has about 28,500 active voters and four municipal offices to be elected in 2025; annexation may add roughly 50 voters. The county’s estimate depends on whether primaries run (some jurisdictions use ranked-choice voting) and whether Murray will be designated as an early voting center.

Council members pressed staff about the increase; one councilmember cited the county’s earlier advice to “do it yourself” if jurisdictions want to avoid rising county pricing. Several members expressed concern that the county’s later invoicing of actual costs could materially exceed the city’s budgeted amount, and Smith acknowledged the final charge will be billed based on actual county costs. Smith recommended authorizing the interlocal agreement so the county can proceed to provide the logistical and security services required to run the election.

The council approved the resolution on a roll call recorded as unanimous in favor.

What’s next: the county will proceed with election planning and billing under the interlocal contract. Smith said the city will receive a final invoice after the county calculates direct and overhead costs; staff recommended the city budget to the higher estimate to avoid shortfalls.","Murray City Council authorized an interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County to provide election services for the 2025 municipal election; staff warned the county’s security and staffing changes are increasing costs and the city budget request is larger than recent elections.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6094608,"Murray approves Rockworth development agreement for Block 1 after heated public debate",3117,2223000,5340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2842786-d8bddd9b8d992fb2d119e43ef3f65544&start=2223&end=5340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2842786-d8bddd9b8d992fb2d119e43ef3f65544/thumbnail_2223000.jpg","/articles/6094608/Utah/Murray-approves-Rockworth-development-agreement-for-Block-1-after-heated-public-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6094608-e2c6d68f92eac27abcc1ff8dc76aae34/orig.mp4?Expires=1771034053&Signature=eQM9c~8ENbaAtS9YrGFr1SYYwq1SidBpRGtZPvGuXRSHzXso3tOt1MG96J5ZYAxmap93vjiNxGcSENY09QCqnv53VDNyqu3vKnkTKFWtk6gF-LSJTCbo0wMjEceS1TZ9TJlOCl240f~DPBsiPSDTmoWsDrj7CGgNg6dnxsG6YW6iNLwHl4PXX~T-ykT3brNckm7GnQ~9IulVUXG2ZzBMUQP4rZQy~BghsjLLhbnN5F7htwtlyaqTocDi1MbT1bYqwQHAD~Oc0kZxews7b1kqGzhFkDghDBxOrWGtsVh5mp0wpDFIIann5gyUHqsI9O3adTs~I~28TGPJ9PZhWc6GMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Murray City’s Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and the City Council voted to authorize a development agreement with Rockworth Companies for the redevelopment of Block 1, the key parcel at the southwest corner of 4800 South and State Street that city leaders have targeted for downtown revitalization.

The agreement, approved first by the RDA board and later by the City Council on April 1, 2025, authorizes the developer to move forward with designs and allows staff to negotiate and execute related disposition, participation and parking agreements. Chad Wilkinson, speaking for city staff, described the document as the “backbone” that will be followed by several implementing agreements and noted the developer has agreed to construct project elements substantially like the renderings shown to the board and council.

The deal combines private and public contributions. According to Wilkinson’s presentation, Rockworth has contract terms to acquire an adjacent parcel known in the meeting as the Darr building and, as part of the development, would construct residential units, about 50,000 square feet of retail/office space and both surface and underground parking. Staff listed an estimated capital expenditure for the developer of about $63 million and an expected annual sales and property tax increase of roughly $526,000, with an estimated annual tax-increment increase of $278,000.

Public and council discussion focused on three financial commitments the public would make if the project proceeds: (1) the RDA would convey about 2.34 acres to the developer (staff attached a recent appraisal value of $3,690,000), (2) the RDA would contribute $3,000,000 toward an underground parking structure, and (3) the City would convey a 0.76-acre parcel (valued in staff materials at $1,210,000) across the street to support the project. Wilkinson also said the developer would provide 32 structured parking spaces designated for city use in the new parking structure. The development agreement includes a contingency for up to $1,500,000 to reimburse a developer-performed gas-line relocation, “if applicable,” though Wilkinson told the board the city expects the utility (Enbridge) will likely perform that work itself.

The agreement includes a 120-day feasibility (due diligence) period for the developer to investigate environmental conditions, easements and other possible encumbrances. Wilkinson explained that, if the developer finds unanticipated conditions that make the project unfeasible, Rockworth may request additional help from the RDA (at the RDA’s discretion), complete the work themselves, or terminate the development agreement. The development agreement also states that if the developer purchases the Darr building and later terminates the agreement for feasibility reasons, the RDA would be obligated to purchase that building back from the developer at the developer’s cost.

The project drew both strong support and stark opposition during the public comment periods. Supporters said the project would generate revenue and activate downtown. “This is a chance to do something,” Phil Markham, a Murray resident, told the RDA board, saying he wanted the city to seize an opportunity to invest in downtown. Several other residents and business owners spoke in favor, including Susan Wright, who described the site as an “eyesore” across from her businesses and urged development to draw customers downtown.

Opponents and other speakers raised concerns over transparency, unanswered financial details and the scale of residential development. One RDA commenter asked repeatedly for the purchase price that Rockworth would pay for the city-owned portion of Block 1 and for the Darr property; staff and the developer said the developer’s due-diligence period ends April 11 and the parties were working toward a closing late in April, but a final purchase price for the Darr building was not disclosed at the meeting. Residents asked whether the city could be left “on the hook” to reimburse the developer for the Darr building if the developer later terminates the project.

Rockworth representative Adam Davis confirmed the developer’s due-diligence period runs through April 11 and said the developer’s planned closing on the Darr building is scheduled for April 30. The developer declined to disclose the Darr purchase price in the meeting record.

The RDA board approved the resolution earlier in the evening; the recorded RDA roll call showed board members voting Aye: Adam Hock, Paul Pickett, Scott Goodman and Diane Turner; Nay: Pam Cotter. Later the City Council voted to authorize the city’s portion of the agreement; the roll call recorded Councilmember votes Nay: Adam Hock; Aye: Paul Pickett, Scott Goodman and Diane Turner; Nay: Pam Cotter — the motion passed by a 3–2 council vote. (Names are recorded as given in the meeting roll calls.)

Staff and the developer emphasized that the development agreement itself is a framework. Wilkinson told the board and council that several appendage agreements — two disposition (land transfer) agreements, a participation agreement that will describe the RDA funding mechanism, and a parking agreement specifying use and timing of the 32 reserved city stalls — will be presented later for review and formal approval.

The RDA fund balance reported at the meeting was just above $8,000,000, and staff told the board that the projected RDA contributions fit within that fund balance. Wilkinson and Rockworth said conversations with Enbridge about the gas line relocation are ongoing and that the reimbursement cap only applies if the developer performs the relocation work.

What’s next: the agreement authorizes staff to continue negotiating and to execute the implementing disposition, participation and parking agreements. The developer’s due-diligence period runs through April 11, and the developer indicated a target closing on the Darr building of April 30. If the developer completes due diligence and the implementing agreements are executed, construction and further design work would follow; if the developer withdraws because of unanticipated conditions, the agreement provides the RDA the option to acquire the Darr building at the developer’s cost as described in the development agreement.","Murray City’s RDA and City Council approved a development agreement with Rockworth Companies to redevelop Block 1 downtown, including RDA and city contributions for land and parking, a feasibility period, and a buyback obligation for the Darr building if the project terminates.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Murray City Council actions on April 1, 2025

City OKs Salt Lake County interlocal for 2025 municipal election as cost concerns surface

Murray approves Rockworth development agreement for Block 1 after heated public debate