MINUTES OF A REGULAR
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 12, 2025, at 6:09 PM
 |
Present Absent
Mayor Julie Fullmer
Councilmember Sara Cameron
Councilmember Mardi Sifuentes
Councilmember Brett Clawson
Councilmember Jacob Holdaway
Staff Present: City Attorney Jayme Blakesley, Lieutenant Holden Rockwell with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, City Manager Eric Ellis, Finance Director Kristie Bayles, Communications Director Jenna Ahern, Community Development Director Morgan Brim, Public Works Director Naseem Ghandour, Parks and Recreation Director Brian Vawdrey, Utility Billing Clerk Maria Arteaga, and Deputy City Recorder Tony Lara
Others Speaking: Vineyard resident Russell Evans
1. CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Play >> Mayor Fullmer began the meeting at 6:09 pm. Councilmember Cameron gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. PRESENTATIONS/RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS/PROCLAMATIONS
2.1. Resolution Recognizing Don Overson For His Service To Vineyard City & Dedication Of The Vineyard Water Tank (Resolution 2025-07)
A resolution recognizing Don Overson for his dedicated service as Vineyard City's City Engineer and Public Works Director from June 2, 2014, to July 1, 2021, and naming the City's water tank as the Don E. Overson Water Tank in his honor. The mayor and City Council will act to adopt this recognition and dedication by resolution.
Play >> Mayor Fullmer remarked on the work done by Don Overson and expressed appreciation for all the work he had done for the city. She provided a brief overview of the resolution that had been put before the council, to dedicate the Vineyard Water Tank.
Play >> Councilmember Holdaway expressed gratitude for Mr. Overson’s work.
Play >> Mayor Fullmer called for a motion.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-07. COUNCILMEMBER CAMERON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE ROLL CALL VOTE WAS AS FOLLOWS: MAYOR FULLMER AND COUNCILMEMBERS CAMERON, CLAWSON, HOLDAWAY, AND, SIFUENTES VOTED YES. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Play >> A moment of silence was observed in honor of Mr. Overson.
3. WORK SESSION
3.1. Discussion about Open and Public Meetings Act (OPMA), Town Halls, Social Media, Subcommittees and Staff Resources
Play >> Mayor Fullmer turned the time over to City Attorney Jayme Blakesley
Play >> Mr. Blakesley gave a presentation regarding the open and public meetings act. He offered clarification on certain situations that had occurred recently as well as city and council business as it pertained to social media posts.
Play >> Councilmember Clawson asked a clarifying question on communication between individual councilmembers. A discussion ensued.
Play >> Mr. Blakesley continued his presentation. He offered clarification on communication via social media as well as town halls and other smaller meetings that may not include deliberation.
Play >> Councilmember Holdaway asked for clarification regarding public meetings where two members were already present that he wanted to attend. Mr. Blakesley suggested inviting more collaboration and utilizing reports from other councilmembers to gain insight from events in which he or others may have wanted to attend. A discussion ensued.
Play >> Mayor Fullmer commented in furtherance of Mr. Blakesley’s suggested use of collaboration. A discussion ensued regarding the delegation of time at events.
Play >> There was a discussion about the definitions of what constituted a public meeting and the use of city staff. It was explained that any member could hold a town hall. Councilmember Holdaway felt it was wrong to have city staff present in a meeting that did not meet the definition of a public meeting. There was also a discussion about councilmembers adding items to the agenda.
Play >> Mr. Blakesly referred to recent supreme court cases regarding social media. Councilmember Holdaway asked for clarification on the recent supreme court decisions on social media that had been cited by Mr. Blakesley. Mr. Blakesley cautioned the council on the appearance of their statements and suggested the use of disclaimers before or after messages shared on social media.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Fullmer called for public comments.
Play >> Russell Evans, living in The Villas subdivision, commented on the passing of Don Overson. He expressed his appreciation for the work that he had done and for Mayor Fulmer’s recognition earlier in the meeting.
5. MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS/DISCLOSURES/RECUSALS
Play >> Councilmember Cameron gave a report on the previous night’s town hall that covered the city center project.
Play >> Councilmember Sifuentes gave a report on the continued work towards the creation of the new school districts. She expressed gratitude for the hard work of those involved in the process.
Play >> Councilmember Holdaway asked Councilmember Sifuentes about concerns that he had heard about lack of funding from Vineyard’s RDA for the new school district. A discussion ensued.
Play >> Councilmember Holdaway asked for an extension on the code of conduct based on a letter that had been received from the state auditor. Mayor Fullmer asked for clarification on the letter and what had prompted communication from the state, that what she gathered from the letter was that it was regarding an already fulfilled financial records request by Councilmember Holdaway. Councilmember Holdaway explained that it had been in regard to something he had seen in a ledger that had raised questions.
6. STAFF, COMMISSION, AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
6.1. City Manager Report
Play >> City Manager Eric Ellis spoke briefly about his report but indicated that it would be posted later for the council and the public to review.
7. CONSENT ITEMS
7.1. Approval of the February 26, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes
7.2. Purchase of Public Works Vehicle – Streets & Stormwater (Reapproving Resolution 2025-05 with the new lease agreement)
7.3. Approval of the 2025 Town Hall Dates
Play >> Councilmember Holdaway asked to remove item 7.3 for discussion.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER HOLDAWAY MOVED TO APPROVE CONSENT ITEMS 7.1 AND 7.2. COUNCILMEMBER CAMERON SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER AND COUNCILMEMBERS CAMERON, SIFUENTES, CLAWSON AND HOLDAWAY VOTED YES. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Play >> Councilmember Holdaway asked to discuss the logistics of the town halls and the structure of them, indicating that he did not have an issue with the specific dates themselves.
Play >> Councilmember Sifuentes asked for clarification on how members of the council would schedule time to participate in a town hall. A discussion ensued.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES MOVED TO APPROVE CONSENT ITEM 7.3, WITH THE STIPULATION THAT STAFF WILL CREATE DIFFERENT FORMATS THAT ALLOW DIFFERENT TYPES OF COLLABORATION AND DISCUSSION. COUNCILMEMBER CAMERON SECONDED. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS CAMERON, CLAWSON, HOLDAWAY, AND SIFUENTES VOTED YES. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. APPOINTMENTS/REMOVALS
There were no appointments or removals at this meeting.
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.1. PUBLIC HEARING: Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Ordinance 2025-01) Parks and Recreation Director Brian Vawdrey is requesting approval of the proposed Vineyard City Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
(This item is being continued to March 19th, 2025 Planning Commission meeting.)
Mayor Fullmer called for a motion to move this item to the next meeting.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES MOTIONED TO MOVE THE PUBLIC HEARING TO THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MARCH 26TH 2025 at 6:00 PM. SHE ALSO MOTIONED TO MOVE THE PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN TO THE NEXT MEETING. COUNCILMEMBER CAMERON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE ROLL CALL VOTE WENT AS FOLLOWS: MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS CAMERON, CLAWSON, HOLDAWAY, AND SIFUENTES VOTED YES. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9.2. PUBLIC HEARING - Consolidated Fee Schedule Amendment (Resolution 2025- 06)
Utility Billing Clerk Maria Arteaga will present proposed amendments to the Consolidated Fee Schedule. The Mayor and City Council will act to adopt (or deny) this request by resolution.
Mayor Fullmer called for a motion to open the public hearing.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES MOVED TO ENTER A PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:35PM. COUNCILMEMBER CAMERON SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS CAMERON, CLAWSON, HOLDAWAY, AND SIFUENTES VOTED YES. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mayor Fullmer turned the time over to Utility Billing Clerk Maria Arteaga.
Play >> Ms. Arteaga presented the proposed amendments to the consolidated fee schedule.
Play >> Councilmember Holdaway asked about the proposed change for towing companies from certificate to qualification. Lieutenant Holden Rockwell offered clarification.
Play >> Ms. Arteaga continued her presentation.
Play >> Mayor Fullmer asked for public comment. Seeing none, she asked for a motion to close public hearing.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES MOTIONED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:39PM. COUNCILMEMBER CAMERON SECONDED THE MOTION. MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS CAMERON, CLAWSON, HOLDAWAY, AND SIFUENTES VOTED YES. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Play >> Councilmember Sifuentes recognized the hard work done by staff in events and parks and rec. She was excited that staff would be taking over the children’s market.
Play >> Mayor Fullmer asked if the request and application went outside where the red curb was normally marked.
Play >> Councilmember Clawson asked how the food truck fee was determined, since it was a range. Mr. Ellis explained how the costs would be determined.
Play >> Councilmember Holdaway stated that he enjoyed working with Ms. Arteaga and that he agreed with all the proposed changes. There was a brief discussion about digital parking fees.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER SIFUENTES MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2025-06, THE CONSOLIDATED FEE SCHEDULE AMENDMENT. COUNCILMEMBER CAMERON SECONDED. THE ROLL CALL VOTE WENT AS FOLLOWS: MAYOR FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS CAMERON, CLAWSON, AND SIFUENTES VOTED YES. COUNCILMEMBER HOLDAWAY VOTED NO. THE MOTION CARRIED FOUR (4) TO ONE (1).
9.3. DISCUSSION AND ACTION - Code of Conduct (Changed to Resolution 2025- 08)
(This item was continued from the January 14th and January 29th, City Council Special Sessions and the February 12, 2025, City Council Meeting.)
Play >> Mayor Fullmer asked Councilmember Clawson if he still wanted to report on the proposed code of conduct since he was not a party to the discussion with the auditor. Councilmember Clawson felt the committee had sufficient time to work on changes to the code and he would be comfortable still moving forward with a vote. He stated that he was proud of the results of the work of the subcommittee.
Play >> Mr. Blakesley offered clarification on the letter from the auditor’s office. He stated that it was regarding a previous ledger request from Councilmember Holdaway. Mr. Blakesley felt the letter did not mention the proposed code of conduct. Councilmember Holdaway disagreed and offered clarification as to the impetus for the letter from the auditor’s office. He stated that he had received an email from Mr. Ellis on February 24. Councilmember Holdaway alleged that the email informed him that he would not be getting the general ledger to the degree in which he wanted so that he could share it with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Play >> Councilmember Cameron called for point of order, explaining that the comments being made by Councilmember Holdaway did not pertain to the discussion of the code of conduct. Mayor Fullmer recognized her point of order and asked Councilmember Holdaway if what he had sent to the auditor’s office involved anything related to the code of conduct. Councilmember Holdaway explained that there was a section of the proposed code that mentioned the sharing of documents and the ability of the council to enter a closed session if there were questions about what documents were being shared. He stated that he had concerns over the authority being given to the council in that regard.
Play >> Councilmember Clawson asked for clarification on the area of the code that Councilmember Holdaway was concerned about. A discussion ensued.
Play >> Mayor Fullmer felt the discussion had strayed from the topic at hand and advised the council that they could move forward with voting on the code and if needed it could be amended later.
Play >> Councilmember Clawson recommended that the code by approved as a by-law instead of an ordinance. A discussion ensued.
Mayor Fullmer called for a motion.
Play >> Motion: COUNCILMEMBER CLAWSON MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-08,
APPROVING THE PROPOSED CODE OF CONDUCT. COUNCILMEMBER HOLDAWAY SECONDED THE
MOTION. THE ROLL CALL VOTE WENT AS FOLLOWS: MAYOR
FULLMER, COUNCILMEMBERS CAMERON, CLAWSON, HOLDAWAY, AND SIFUENTES VOTED YES.
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
10. CLOSED SESSION
There was no closed session held.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Play >> Mayor Fullmer adjourned the meeting at 7:54 PM.
MINUTES APPROVED ON: March 26, 2025
CERTIFIED CORRECT BY:
TONY LARA, DEPUTY CITY RECORDER