Town of Mantua Council Meeting Minutes For September 18th 2025
Notice Type(s)
Meeting
Event Start Date & Time
October 17, 2025 08:41 AM
Description/Agenda
Town of Mantua Council Meeting Minutes
For September 18th, 2025
Location: Town Hall, 409 North Main, Mantua, Utah
Council Members Present: Mayor Terry Nelson, Karen Nelson, Ken Jones, Matt Jeppsen, Jared Jeppsen Absent: None Recorder: Sherita Schaefer
Audience Present: Esther Hatch, Cindy Facer, Paul Jensen, Dave Ornelas, Tim Miles, Don Ruhl, Pam Eaves, Marcus Abel
The meeting was opened by Mayor Terry Nelson. Invocation by Matt Jeppsen.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Terry Nelson; all in attendance participated.
Minutes:
- Town Council meeting minutes for August 21, 2025 - Approved (vote: 5-0).
- Town Council emergency meeting minutes for August 25, 2025 - Approved (vote: 5-0).
Consideration to Pay the Bills: Jared Jeppsen made a motion to approve the bills; Matt Jeppsen seconded.
Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Karen Nelson, Ken Jones, Jared Jeppsen
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSED
Public Comment:
Esther Hatch spoke about changing the rules for construction deposit refunds. She stated property owners should receive their deposits back after one year of living in their home and asked the council to reconsider the decision to deny those refunds.
Paul Jensen discussed improving Indian Trail Road, noting safety concerns and challenges for emergency vehicles and maintenance equipment, and asked the town to consider ideas for enhancements.
Presentations:
Heather Crockett - Brigham City Library Cards Heather Crockett stated that library access for Mantua families, especially children aged zero to five, needs improvement because they cannot check out books. She stated that a recent survey indicated over 73% of respondents do not use the bookmobile and many prefer access to physical libraries. More than 52% expressed willingness to pay additional property taxes to improve library access, despite the current nonresident library card fee increasing from $60 to $100.
Discussion and Action Items:
Ken Jones - Enforcement of Ordinances Ken Jones discussed enforcing nuisance ordinances related to property maintenance, particularly weeds and cluttered yards. He reported an 85% compliance rate from residents who received letters but expressed concern about the remaining 15% who did not comply. He asked the council to be proactive by sending letters, making phone calls, and visiting properties to ensure compliance, since neglect affects the community's appearance and creates problems for emergency vehicles and maintenance operations.
Pam Eaves - Vote on Ordinance No. 2025-09-15 (Zoning Map Amendment to Ordinance 2024-10-17) Pam Eaves explained that the zoning map cannot be updated online until the ordinance is officially passed and signed. Although the council previously agreed to the changes, they did not formally vote, so the old map is still displayed.
Jared Jeppsen made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-09-15 (Zoning Map Amendment to Ordinance 2024-10-17); Karen Nelson seconded.
Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Karen Nelson, Ken Jones, Jared Jeppsen
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSED
Fee Schedule / Sewer Fees Overview Karen Nelson discussed adding the Brigham City sewer connection fee to the town's fee schedule. She proposed placing the new fee after the existing impact fees and labeling it clearly. The fee will equal Brigham City's connection fee; the council will retain Mantua's sewer impact fee and may adjust as needed.
Karen Nelson made a motion to add the Brigham City sewer connection fee, equal to their impact fee, to the Town of Mantua summary of fees for all new building permits; Ken Jones seconded.
Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Karen Nelson, Ken Jones, Jared Jeppsen
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSED
Transient Room Taxes Karen Nelson explained transient room taxes apply to short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb's) and campgrounds when guests stay less than 30 days. She noted some locations have been collecting these taxes and stressed the need to ensure all short-term rental are aware of their responsibilities. She described the process for the town to report noncompliance to the state and emphasized increasing awareness as more residents may use properties for short-term rentals.
Updated Business License Sherita Schaefer updated the council on revisions to the business license application, adding more comprehensive questions to ensure compliance with local regulations. She emphasized informing businesses about waste-disposal obligations and noted Brigham City can inspect for improper discharges into the sewer system. The council proposed adding a checkbox for business owners to acknowledge these responsibilities.
Karen Nelson made a motion to accept the business license application with the addition of a checkbox in the pretreatment area; Matt Jeppsen seconded.
Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Karen Nelson, Ken Jones, Jared Jeppsen
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSED
Ken Jones - Lance Nielsen Ken Jones introduced Lance Nielsen from Hansen, Allen & Luce, Inc., who discussed challenges with the town's water system and the potential need for a new well. The existing well is 50 years old and produces significantly less water than before. Estimated costs for a new well range from $300,000 to $2,000,000. Lance emphasized thorough planning and discussed potential funding options, including resilience grants.
IT Personnel Karen Nelson discussed the need for improved cybersecurity after a significant hack affected Box Elder County. She stressed selecting a qualified IT firm to enhance security and plans to gather multiple bids to protect town systems and data.
Letter Regarding Sewer and Water Connections for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Karen Nelson proposed drafting a letter to inform property owners about requirements for sewer and water connections for ADUs to ensure compliance and clarify procedures and responsibilities.
Penalty Page Addition Item tabled.
Planning and Zoning: Pam Eaves discussed code and ordinance enforcement, including nuisance properties and parking violations. She plans to present photos illustrating issues such as improperly parked commercial vehicles and cluttered yards and emphasized consistency in enforcement. She suggested sending warning letters before escalating to fines and noted the need to update the land code for clearer guidance. Sherita Schaefer reported she has been updating ordinances to align with violation codes and discovered many ordinances lack corresponding penalties. She will compile a list of discrepancies and present it at the next council meeting, having completed updates to the SMOT table.
Public Works: Dave Ornelas emphasized addressing residents who are not complying with ordinances. He suggested including relevant ordinance details and consequences in violation letters to help residents understand expectations and reduce disputes. He stressed consistency in enforcement, particularly for visible nuisances.
Fire Department: Matt Jeppsen reported that a meeting with Brigham City regarding the fire department was postponed. The fire agreement expires in April 2026; the ambulance contract runs through 2027. He emphasized the need to negotiate fire-response support from Brigham City while Mantua's fire department continues training under Chief Will Hodgins' leadership.
Grants Update: Karen Nelson discussed updating ordinances and violation codes and noted a state cooperative contract option that could save money on projects; she proposed inviting a representative to explain the process at the next meeting. She also presented a cemetery grant opportunity of up to $20,000 for digitization and preservation with a 30% match requirement; volunteer time and in-kind donations may count toward the match. The grant application process opens February 1, with potential project kickoff in July.
Adjournment: Karen Nelson made a motion to adjourn; Matt Jeppsen seconded.
Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Karen Nelson, Ken Jones, Jared Jeppsen
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: None
MOTION PASSED
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing auxiliary communicative aids and services for this meeting should contact the Management Services Department at 629-8701 (TTY/TDD: 711 or 888-735-5906) or by emailing town recorder at townrecorder@mantuautah.gov at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Public meetings may be held electronically in accordance with Utah Code Annotated 52-4-207 to allow Council members to participate via teleconference. The anchor location for the meeting shall be held at the Mantua Town Hall 409 North Main St, Mantua Utah 84324
Other Information
Certificate of Posting
The foregoing agenda was (1) posted on the Utah Public Notice Website created under Utah Code Section 63F1-701. (2) Town of Mantua website, and (3) posted in Town of Mantua City Office on 2025 by Sherita Schaefer - Town Recorder