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Midvale staff outline steps on transient encampments, park vandalism and restroom closures; city clarifies pest‑control responsibilities
Summary
City Manager Matt Dahl told the council the city is seeing an uptick in transient individuals, increased vandalism in park restrooms and growing concerns about rats; staff will close some park restrooms earlier in the evening and will publish guidance on pest control options for residents.
Midvale City Manager Matt Dahl told the council on Sept. 16 the city has seen a rise in individuals camping in public areas and increased vandalism in park restrooms, and he outlined immediate operational changes and outreach plans.
Dahl said the city’s shelter resource officers — a state‑funded team that works with individuals at shelters and handles transient outreach — are managing higher caseloads as new people arrive in the city. He said he plans follow‑up meetings with businesses along corridors most affected, including the 7200 South corridor, to look for collaborative solutions.
Dahl said vandalism in the main park restrooms has increased and that damage has required thousands of dollars in repairs and extensive staff time to clean. To reduce risk to staff and the public and limit vandalism, the city will start seasonal closures of park restrooms at 5 p.m. beginning in the fall; restrooms tied to permitted events must still provide portable facilities, Dahl said.
On service reporting, Dahl reiterated that posting on social media does not replace official service requests. He said after‑hours public‑works calls will ring three times, transfer to a call service and then phone the on‑call staff member; callers who hang up before leaving the voicemail often think the city did not respond.
On rodents, Dahl said current municipal agreements do not cover rats; the city’s animal services contract covers stray/domestic animals and Salt Lake County’s urban wildlife contract covers raccoons and skunks. Homeowners are responsible for rodent control, Dahl said, but the city will publish information about options and resources. Dahl said he has personal experience addressing rats at home and acknowledged cost barriers in some private trapping or removal services.
Councilmember Paul Glover reported constituent complaints about homeless camping in a park and encouraged continued enforcement visits. Council members asked staff to provide clearer online information about how residents should report emergencies and nonemergencies and to publish the new restroom hours and pest‑control guidance.
