Tooele City Council approves budget amendments, roadway contracts and parking-code update; resident urges local parking fix

The Tooele City Council on March 4 approved a package of budget adjustments, multiple roadway maintenance contracts, an ordinance updating parking enforcement and the mayor's appointment to the Historic Main Street Commission, while a resident urged a quick, low-cost parking fix on East Pinehurst.

Finance Director Shannon Wimmer presented the council's third-quarter budget amendments, noting a Council of Governments grant recorded for the 2400 North project and a variety of donations and transfers being recorded to align the city's ledgers. Wimmer listed items the packet tracks, including recorded donations to the Tooele Valley Museum, trust-fund transfers for local projects, additional water-fund operating needs and funds to replace failing meters. A public hearing drew no speakers; Councilman Hansen moved approval, Councilman McCall seconded and the council voted 5–0 to adopt Resolution 2026-10.

John Perez, the city's economic development director, presented a fee-in-lieu request for Tooele Flex Spaces at 1121 West Utah Avenue. Perez said the developer asked for 1.5 acre-feet of water (previously approved in 2023 but expired). Perez said packet estimates list about 120 jobs and a capital investment just over $5,000,000. Council members asked whether water would be needed for uses beyond restrooms; staff answered that each unit is proposed to include a restroom. The council approved the resolution authorizing the fee-in-lieu 5–0.

Council also confirmed the mayor's appointment of Dorothy Manusakis, owner of Hometown Bakery, to the Tooele City Historic Main Street Commission. Economic Development Director Perez noted the seat was vacated when the council's prior representative shifted roles; the appointment passed 5–0.

Public Works Director Nathan Farr presented three separate agreements for the city's 2026 roadway maintenance program. The council approved: an agreement with M & M Asphalt Services for a slurry-seal project serving Bevan Estates and Vista Meadows (Schedule A); a contract with Staker and Parsons for Schedule B, covering roughly 11 miles of chip seal work including portions of Vine Street; and a mill-and-overlay contract with Black Forest Paving for Schedule C covering Canyon Overlook Drive and a section of 2000 North. Farr said portions of the 2000 North work will be done at night to reduce daytime disruption. Each contract passed on unanimous 5–0 votes.

Police Chief Adrian Day presented an ordinance to amend Tooele City Code chapters 10-2 and 10-3 to clarify parking-enforcement language, extend certain enforcement authorities to all public-school property, and add requirements (including valid insurance) for vehicles in city-owned parking lots to align with state law changes. Councilman McCall moved adoption; the ordinance passed 5–0.

During the public-comment period, resident James of East Pinehurst described repeated parking and driveway-blocking incidents caused by a nearby rental and asked the council to consider installing no-parking signs as a less invasive alternative to road widening. "We've had to cancel outings and therapies because we can't get out without risk," James said, urging the council to take measures to protect safe access for his family. The council accepted photos James left with staff for follow-up.

The council approved an invoice to Owen Company for a replacement pump and cylinders for sewer-line cleaning equipment ($34,024.45, as recorded in the packet) and approved minutes from the Feb. 18 work and business meetings. Several agenda items called and recorded as motions were approved unanimously; the transcript ends shortly after item 14 was called.

What's next: the council moved on to item 14; the provided transcript ends before discussion of that item. Staff contact information and packet materials listed the specific resolutions and contracts if residents want more detail.