Midway open-space committee outlines $5 million bond rollout, outreach and timing concerns

Midway’s open-space committee briefed the City Council on plans to roll out a proposed $5,000,000 open-space bond, recommending targeted outreach to landowners, a public open house in February or March and coordination with federal grants that could accelerate several projects.

Cortland, chair of the open-space committee, said the committee “ended up, selecting the $5,000,000” level based on a public survey and urged the council to review outreach and sequencing before the committee launches active solicitations. He said informal interest from landowners and calls to Preserve Midway suggest some owners will be willing to discuss conservation easements, but that most property conversations remain at an early stage.

The committee proposed a Saturday midday open house with a mix of information booths so landowners uncomfortable speaking in public could talk privately with representatives. “We could have Wendy from Utah local lands. We could have Cheryl from Southern Lands Conservancy,” Cortland said, describing table-based outreach where nonprofits and city staff can answer tax, legal and conservation questions.

Michael (committee member) presented a preliminary map of priority parcels, including the White property (about 90 acres near 850 South) and Kohler-area parcels. Speakers noted that some of those properties already qualify for federal funding: the committee said Wendy secured roughly $16,600,000 in federal funding (described in the meeting as RCPP or similar) for valley projects, and that the Mitchell Kissel property is expected to be fully funded through that grant stream.

Council members pressed for clear, plain-language materials at the event. One said sending a postcard or targeted flyer to property owners with two or more acres produced 15 notices of interest the last time; the committee recommended a mix of targeted mailings to large landowners, Preserve Midway social outreach and general public notices so residents can learn how the program works. The council discussed using banners and permanent signs at conserved properties to visibly show what the open-space bond has funded.

On financing, Mark (bonding advisor) laid out technical constraints and tradeoffs: in today’s market a $5 million general-obligation bond is on the small side and an issuance could cost roughly $80,000 in fees, with an additional $40,000–$50,000 if the city split the sale into two tranches. He warned the IRS’s arbitrage rules require a reasonable expectation that 85% of proceeds be spent within three years — a constraint that affects timing and whether to issue the full amount immediately. He also noted that to get a bond’s debt service onto that year’s property-tax roll the city would generally need to close by June 1.

Officials said the city still has unspent prior-bond funds — roughly $3,000,000 remains available from an earlier $5,000,000 authorization — and discussed using those funds before issuing new debt. A previously committed $1,000,000 for the Kim Gardner property was discussed as an earmarked account that the owner intends to gift back once tax/timing questions are handled; that returned money would be used to improve that property rather than returned to general open-space reserves.

Committee members emphasized tailoring easement terms to address landowner concerns — for example, farm families worried about continuing traditional practices (pesticide use, fencing, animal management) — and recommended encouraging landowners to work with certified land trusts. Preserve Midway was described as a separate 501(c)(3) that can advocate, raise funds and engage owners directly in ways the city cannot.

The council and committee agreed on next steps: draft outreach materials (map, kiosk display, a simple explanation of how the bond and easements work), plan a combined public celebration/information day (suggested pairing with a free skate day), and maintain quarterly bond-market updates so the committee and council can time issuance to market conditions and spending readiness. The meeting recessed for five minutes before additional agenda items.