[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6577669,"mediaKeyId","3108048-6e785a1621b02fb3eadb89b9abf4a53a","parentId",3108048,"title","Council approves bids, zone change, concessions lease and RAP allocations; votes at a glance","audioSeconds",5268,"startMs",8146825,"endMs",13415364,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108048-6e785a1621b02fb3eadb89b9abf4a53a&start=8146&end=13415","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108048-6e785a1621b02fb3eadb89b9abf4a53a/thumbnail_8146825.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6577669/Utah/Council-approves-bids-zone-change-concessions-lease-and-RAP-allocations-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577669-3663e071a9c0d3cdd478d43dcf8130ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151867&Signature=Cwu0EU00-BW1afJQVUeGno7bvx0OOtV~DonA8uSVdbHiTC1DlqxwEByW2XY-gpur8S0meZRjQfd-EL8IqBjZsmW49cn269TDLPGu~55-nMgMQuJq8967L9wtOlYi7PJWlw272-lSvW8Ly3wNOnWMt-wikKSslhPyMvZ5Z3d~RhJ0dLgA37hk~b23-guF8ArnTN6M8FgMIfF7x2iAaGiLeOGU5xn4OnR1rqPSlvw5HR--kH4oMwe0zhVDUC-xLTN4KYfnObuS-bfF03MXfz7yZWhlWXm2UOsnAtTKsni4vKAbPPhOoPh31HEecHrjkPIao-mVbYBM0lVaPOMEEuhA3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-24T08:31:53.117Z","article","Washington City Council recorded several formal decisions during its April 23 regular meeting, including awards of public-works contracts, a zoning map amendment, approval of a concessions lease, and allocations from the city’s recreation/arts/parks (RAP) fund. The council also approved the employee handbook revisions earlier in the meeting (resolution 7a). Highlights and recorded outcomes follow below.

Major contract awards

- Washington City Grapevine Substation (contract award): the council awarded the contract to BODEC for site foundations, ground grid and a control building in the amount of $1,406,355.60. Staff said the low bid was within expectations and BODEC had prior local experience. Council approved the award by roll call vote (unanimous).

- Salente water transmission line reroute (contract award): the council selected Feller Enterprises as low bidder for the water-transmission reroute at $1,396,778.45. Staff said nine bids came in and the overall project (including previously-purchased pipe and all engineering/inspection) is expected to cost about $2.584 million; the developer will reimburse roughly $137,200 of the award for elements that directly serve new development. The award was approved; the recorded roll call noted one abstention (Councilmember Coats) and a 4–0 approval with that abstention recorded per staff note.

Land-use and lease actions

- Zone change (Z-25-07): the council approved an ordinance rezoning a parcel near 4200 South and Crimson Cliffs Way from R-110 to R-18 to match the city’s updated medium-density general-plan designation. The planning commission recommended approval 3–1. The council voted 5–0 to authorize the change.

- Washington City Community Center concessions lease: the council approved a three-year concession lease with Love Me Foods. The vendor will operate the community-center concession space and pay the city a fixed monthly lease amount (year 1: $300/month; year 2: $350/month; year 3: $400/month). Staff said the change reduces payroll exposure and provides predictable revenue for the center; the council approved the contract unanimously.

RAP (recreation/arts/parks) allocations and outcomes (Votes at a glance)

The council considered seven RAP applications and the total funds requested exceeded the available budget ($61,000 requested; $50,000 budgeted). After presentations and discussion the council voted on each applicant individually. The outcomes below list the council’s action and recorded vote.

- Washington City Youth Council (Quentin Nisen statue) — Approved $10,000 (motion passed by roll call; unanimous). Council discussed fundraising and a potential permanent location as part of the downtown design process.

- Film Southern Utah / Media Arts — Denied (motion to deny carried, unanimous).

- Washington City Historical Museum — Approved $38,500 (city staff noted a dollar-for-dollar match from the museum; motion passed by roll call; unanimous). Staff and museum representatives explained the funding would support interior flooring, accessibility improvements and building systems work timed with museum closures for related downtown construction.

- Washington City Concert Band — Approved $1,500 (motion passed by roll call; unanimous). The applicant said the funds will help cover rehearsal and facility rental costs now that Heritage Hall is unavailable for rehearsals.

- Southwest Symphony Orchestra — Denied (motion to deny carried, unanimous).

- Toucom Center for the Arts — Denied (motion to deny carried, unanimous).

- Encore Performing Arts — Denied (motion to deny carried, unanimous).

Other procedural notes

- Employee handbook revision (resolution 7a): adopted earlier in the meeting (approved 5–0). See separate article for policy details.

What happens next

Staff will finalize contracts and return program details to the appropriate departments for implementation. For RAP-funded items staff will coordinate with each grantee on matching funds, deliverables and timing. For the two awarded construction contracts, staff expects mobilization this spring and summer according to the project schedules presented.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/23/2025 Workshop and Regular Council Meetings for Washington City Utah","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 23 regular meeting Washington City Council awarded two public-works contracts, approved a zone change and a concessions lease, and distributed recreation/arts/parks (RAP) funds to several applicants while denying others. The council also adopted the updated employee handbook in an earlier agenda item.","taxTitle","Washington City Planning Commission, Washington City, Washington County, Utah","taxId",24713,"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},6577674,"Council hears legislative roundup; water conservation, elections and short-term rental changes highlighted",1913,3666590,5579949,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108048-6e785a1621b02fb3eadb89b9abf4a53a&start=3666&end=5579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108048-6e785a1621b02fb3eadb89b9abf4a53a/thumbnail_3666590.jpg","/articles/6577674/Utah/Council-hears-legislative-roundup-water-conservation-elections-and-short-term-rental-changes-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577674-514a02bbc62acc3bf600a93785613abe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151867&Signature=DiQc6v80nFSEe0M5GfRWKZNCPkT~lapUWsX3Zxmlpbr2azlOnf~XEYThFmHZmcm4oPFW4JIjuiz7~t56F7EkYLZLTbQmTDKC~XjtUryq8R~8Kte75mP5cVsaeaRDqAgaf10RVzncsdcohGyRKYrw1PiFwx07Tnz1~6BkX48QsLppzsnrxNpIabBpjsAVQircAa6rIliLCvz-hI0KHrHe2An0Q~Fll1uoTwnHw51Rm8Wlf7U1ZTJhFdnKSx8cVP8rnZ~LjNou7cCA44079EJDFg~-GzzKoIV4AFSrLM5LtYtsKTJqtkLdakMh2Y0X0Fxjq9lpA6fnBrC~HM67iEf9NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washington City’s public affairs official and city attorney briefed the council April 23 on a slate of bills from the 2025 Utah legislative session that could affect city operations and planning.

The tag-team update — Thad (city attorney) and Jordan Hess (public affairs) — summarized enacted and failed bills the city had tracked. Items discussed as particularly relevant to Washington City included:

- SB 220 (stormwater enforcement): described in the stormwater presentation; changes inspection and enforcement for construction-related stormwater (see separate article).
- HB 274 (water-conservation in rate-setting): requires retail water suppliers to consider water-conservation measures, including at least one water-conservation effort, when setting water rates and encourages tiered rate structures for the highest usage block; the bill allows water-conservation blocks to include non-cost-based conservation charges.
- HB 285 (water-infrastructure when state/federal money used): requires capital asset management plans and reserve analyses when state or federal funds are used on water projects.
- HB 256 and related social-issues bills (labor and pronoun disciplinary protections): Thad summarized a variety of bills that change employment and school district obligations; the presentation noted potential implications for city employment policies.
- HB 300 (election changes): clarifies voter registration verification procedures, requires lieutenant-governor information exchanges with federal courts for voter eligibility, and phases in a move where voters must affirmatively request a mail-in ballot (by 2029 mail-in ballots will be by request rather than automatic mailing).
- HB 250 (flags on government property): establishes which flags government entities and schools may display and disallows other flags on government flagpoles except for listed exempt flags.
- Short-term rental enforcement changes (HB 256/others): local governments may use a listing on a short-term rental marketplace as evidence in enforcement actions and the listing can be used as evidence for transient room tax (TRT) enforcement; the city may also ask platforms to remove listings.

Jordan Hess also recapped bills that failed or were altered after municipal pushback, including proposals that would have forced accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on all residential lots and attempts to create a centralized state “Beehive” economic development agency that would limit municipal input. He said Washington City and the League of Cities and Towns engaged with legislators on some measures; staff noted several bills remain politically contentious and may reappear in special session or future sessions.

Hess noted the Public Sector Labor Union Amendments passed the legislature and that organizers collected signatures to refer the law to the ballot; proponents submitted more than the 40,000 signatures required. If qualified, that referendum would appear on the statewide ballot in 2026 for voters to decide whether to sustain or overturn the legislature’s action.

Council members asked about next steps for water conservation in rate-setting and broader implications for development and enforcement; staff said the city will begin evaluating the statute changes and incorporate needed work into forthcoming capital planning and rate discussions.","City staff and the city attorney reviewed state bills passed this session and those that did not pass, identifying items with direct effects on local zoning, water rates, elections and stormwater enforcement.",{"_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},6577679,"City council approves employee handbook revisions for tuition reimbursement and safety rules",2286,2743495,5029590,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108048-6e785a1621b02fb3eadb89b9abf4a53a&start=2743&end=5029","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108048-6e785a1621b02fb3eadb89b9abf4a53a/thumbnail_2743495.jpg","/articles/6577679/Utah/City-council-approves-employee-handbook-revisions-for-tuition-reimbursement-and-safety-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577679-a94d367f749c5343f232b551ca45bd52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151867&Signature=gVa4~O1y~tTOilsXVpJy0h8mNzcTxOTseWQZcr0iFkNbNQZiiREvMKi2owuV1G9A1QnJFGZswI-sNByYFI01J41fo1NJa5QGrTLa2HmMbwL3tPGKeCTK3~UCjo2mr0xgq8D77DP~O9PLjAU09ykIC3IrnF7S77G4BjVXGi6AM5SuCIowKnZIIKky3xatgmeOaOwiEN67v2QcdxpZgVh3vpE5igrMdxI6SoOvewA57m9WAzKT0TaToJ5g40ZcXFjbMFCV2Lba07ZJUkF9rLAJwCq8GeWKi5oPFp4cewKuSirr8s~gMh1kWIzA2LBZmtsvtS68E02MjhxhtkFEnTq~qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washington City Council approved revisions to the employee handbook April 23 that clarify tuition-reimbursement rules and add safety and driver-qualification provisions required by the Utah Local Governments Trust.

City Manager Jeremy Redd told the council the changes keep the city’s existing job-required training policy (the city will continue to fully pay for training it requires), and add a clearer tuition-reimbursement program for eligible employees. Under the revisions, full-time employees with at least one year of continuous service and satisfactory performance can be reimbursed for courses that relate to their job or an approved career path. Reimbursement will cover 50% of tuition and fees up to $2,000 per fiscal year after scholarships or grants; employees who voluntarily resign within one year of receiving reimbursement will be required to repay the prorated portion for the final year of employment.

The council also adopted new safety guidance that the city’s insurer, the Utah Local Governments Trust, recommended as part of its accountability program. Revisions include a spotter recommendation for backing city vehicles when possible, guidance that vehicles be parked to minimize backing when appropriate, and a monthly driver-record review administered by the Trust (monthly MBR report). The policy also clarifies accident/incident reporting and the city’s return-to-work program; the HR director (workers’ compensation coordinator) will manage incidents and light-duty return-to-work planning.

Council members asked whether tuition-reimbursement requests would be reviewed case-by-case, and whether programs that require daytime attendance could be accommodated; Redd said the policy allows case-by-case determinations and that job-required certifications (for example, paramedic, CDL or pest applicator) remain fully eligible under the city’s existing training policy. Council discussed limits on advanced degrees; the manager said the program is intentionally capped to control costs (50% up to $2,000 annually) and that department heads and the manager will review requests.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the handbook changes (resolution 7a).","Council approved updates to the employee handbook covering tuition reimbursement, training requirements and new safety guidelines tied to the Utah Local Governments Trust program.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6577684,"Washington City hears stormwater permit update as state law brings inspection, fine changes",2673,54050,2727120,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3108048-6e785a1621b02fb3eadb89b9abf4a53a&start=54&end=2727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3108048-6e785a1621b02fb3eadb89b9abf4a53a/thumbnail_54050.jpg","/articles/6577684/Utah/Washington-City-hears-stormwater-permit-update-as-state-law-brings-inspection-fine-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6577684-1c0ce588beee5087197f0fc5f76b8d56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151867&Signature=aofM0rmJsqXOy0ppA723PC9UfidvuGO6HpRLHLTuyws1LxJKl8n1JE2CHySiIg5iutWLStqCfsH7u8IXA0~KfPcaE39XfpZk0yrCG~tLHT17W7nBeDMEq-xd5EusVRecSRRzOtb1dld1r9Bioyb8W8ULl3C~LEXSrR2ml0~PXhMbrtksOLedckyVOV2qhfgO~AKTsuPzzU86fR5D16H2FM-dSGJhhlglcDk4wvaVXRab2Q2zj4DHtbvstQFF40ZkUBvoGxp9rbugjg7w1nf-1UFwHvObMb0DB349sSy1bxmQwoapR0HiT-GXgrrEVOAgYg1U-WbjRYXlUCkd7H93dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Washington City Council members heard a detailed presentation April 23 on the city’s stormwater (MS4) program, how it is governed by state and federal permitting, and near-term operational changes triggered by the 2024 and 2025 state bills that change inspection and enforcement requirements.

Development Manager John Henke invited Stormwater Coordinator Brandon Burrows to summarize the program and the city’s duties under the federal NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) program as administered in Utah by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) under Utah’s UPDES/MS4 permit. Burrows told the council the permit requires public education, public involvement, controls on illicit discharges, construction and post-construction BMPs, and an internal operations program that includes inventories, standard operating procedures and routine sweeping and maintenance.

The presentation focused heavily on two recent pieces of state legislation that Mr. Burrows and Mr. Henke said have changed how municipalities and contractors will document and be held accountable for stormwater compliance. HB 507 (2024) instituted electronic inspections (allowing contractors to submit one electronic inspection per month with metadata and GPS-tagged photos), and SB 220 (2025) further altered the construction enforcement model by restricting municipal stop-work orders and imposing a state-defined schedule of daily fines for continuing violations.

Burrows said electronic inspections are permitted but that, to date, large developers have chosen on-site inspections because a full electronic submittal for a large construction site can require hundreds of photos and still leave municipal staff with a limited view of actual site conditions. He described one choice the city will offer: contractors may opt out of the electronic inspection program and allow city on-site inspections.

On enforcement, Mr. Henke and Mr. Burrows said SB 220 removes most municipal authority to issue stop-work orders and replaces it with daily fines tied to specific violations. Under the change, stop-work orders can be issued only when the municipality documents an immediate threat to water quality (for example, a verified discharge to the storm system). Otherwise, the new statutory model requires an inspection-notice-cure sequence: an initial correction notice, seven calendar days to fix items, a second “penalty warning” with two calendar days’ correction time, and a third reinspection that triggers daily fines if violations remain. The presenters said fines in the new state schedule include examples such as $500 per day for working without a required SWIP, $300 per day for mud tracking onto public streets, and $250 per day for failures to clean up or report spills; municipalities must document and inspect daily to sustain those fines.

Council members asked about the practical effects. Councilman Belson pressed on the city’s capacity for daily reinspections and expressed concern about uneven enforcement if inspectors differ in judgment; Mr. Henke said the city will standardize inspection procedures and provide additional training and that the development coalition is working to provide contractor education. Councilors and staff also discussed the operational burden of inspecting many small residential lots and the possible need for additional staff if daily inspection requirements materialize.

Both presenters emphasized that the permit’s construction minimum control measure remains the most time-intensive part of the program: site plan reviews, SWIP reviews, pre-construction meetings, monthly inspections of small lots, more frequent inspections for priority sites, enforcement tracking, and the training/certification requirements for inspectors. They highlighted that stormwater flows to local waterways without treatment, naming the Virgin River and other local creeks, and showed a photograph of a catch-basin vacuuming operation following a hydraulic-oil release to illustrate the environmental risk.

John Henke summarized the city’s approach as prioritizing education and contractor cooperation while preparing to implement required documentation and enforcement changes. He and Brandon asked councilmembers to support outreach to contractors and inter-municipal coordination; several councilmembers urged the city to work with neighboring jurisdictions and the League of Cities and Towns to press for clearer, more implementable rules at the state level.

The council did not take formal action on the stormwater presentation that evening; staff said they will return with operational changes and a proposed enforcement protocol that follows the new statutory steps and the MS4 permit requirements.","City staff briefed the council on the municipal stormwater (MS4) program, recent state legislation that changes inspections and enforcement, and operational impacts the city expects during implementation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves bids, zone change, concessions lease and RAP allocations; votes at a glance

Council hears legislative roundup; water conservation, elections and short-term rental changes highlighted

City council approves employee handbook revisions for tuition reimbursement and safety rules

Washington City hears stormwater permit update as state law brings inspection, fine changes