Mendon City Council Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda
Notice Type(s)
Meeting
Event Start Date & Time
June 11, 2026 06:00 PM
Event End Date & Time
June 11, 2026 10:00 PM
Event Deadline Date & Time
06/11/26 11:59 PM
Description/Agenda
MENDON CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2026 6:00 PM
AT MENDON CITY HALL MEETING ROOM
City Council Agenda:
- Pledge of Allegiance - Councilmember Myers
- Prayer - City Clerk Stephanie Miller
- Approval of Minutes: May 14, 2026
- Approval of Bills:
1. Citizen Participation/Comment
2. PUBLIC HEARING - 2025-2026 Budget Adjustments
3. PUBLIC HEARING - 2026-2027 Fiscal Budget
4. PUBLIC HEARING - Right-of-Way Excavation Permit
5. Top of Utah Marathon - Gary Saxton
6. Law Enforcement Liaison - Deputy Spence
7. City Engineer - Eric Dursteler
8. Public Works Director - Kirk Taylor
9. Councilmembers Reports:
a. Brian Myers-
culinary water, secondary water systems liaison, storm water management, buildings, May Day
b. Amy Garbe-
Planning and Zoning liaison, grant writing, Youth Council liaison, school liaison
c. Ben Watkins-
library liaison, trails, parks and recreation, May Day, Planning and Zoning liaison
d. Art Heers-
trails, mosquito abatement, deer and turkey management, animal control, parks and recreation
e. Bob Jepsen-
Easter Egg Hunt, cemetery, streets, parks and recreation
f. Mayor Buist-
administration, fire department liaison, law enforcement liaison, July 24th Celebration, emergency preparedness, Mendon City Land Use Authority
Agenda items should be sent to the Mendon City Clerk by Thursday the week before the meeting. This will allow posting of a complete agenda for all residents to view. To include an item on the agenda, contact Stephanie Miller @ 753-3449 or cityclerk@mendoncityutah.gov.
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify the Mendon City clerk at 435-753-3449.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
NA
Other Information
Mendon City Council Minutes
Convened: June 11, 2026| Meeting location 15 North Main Street, Mendon City Meeting Room
Meeting called by
Mayor Ed Buist
Type of meeting
City Council
Public Hearing
Minutes Stephanie Miller
City Attendees:
Amy Garbe Marilyn Atkinson
Art Heers Daphne Carlson
Bob Jepsen Eric Dursteller
Ben Watkins Kirk Taylor
Absent
Brian Myers Jim Cannon
TIME: 6:00 PM
Call to Order: There being five members present and five members representing a quorum, Mayor Buist called the meeting to order.
Others Present:
Autumn Mathews, Gary Saxton, Kyle Harris
Pledge of Allegiance: Councilmember Brian Myers
Invocation: Stephanie Miller
Welcome: Mayor Buist welcomed everyone.
Agenda
Agenda Adoption: A copy of the notice and the agenda for this meeting was posted on the Utah Public Notice Website, Mendon City's Website, posted at the City Office, the Post Office. It was also provided to each member of the governing body. All provided more than forty-eight hours before meeting time.
Approval of Minutes: The May 14, 2026 minutes have been reviewed.
Motion: Councilmember Garbe motions to accept the May 14, 2026 minutes. Councilmember Watkins seconds the motion.
Action: Voting is unanimous and May 14, 2026 minutes are accepted.
Approval of Bills: May, 2026
Motion: Councilmember Jepsen motions to approve the May, 2026 bills. Councilmember Myers seconds the motion.
Action: Voting is unanimous and May, 2026 bills are accepted.
Minutes:
Topic 1- Citizen Participation/Comment (6:02 PM):
Autumn Matthews is here on behalf of Cash Water District to bring to our attention two programs that they have. One of them is run through the district, and one of them is run through the state.
The first one is a grass re-seeding program, and she brought flyers for the council. Information's at the bottom. The other one is the Landscape Incentive Program. The spring grass re-seeding program offers water-wise grass at a discounted price for residents of Cache County. The Landscape Incentive Program is harder to get residents eligible for. Cities have to pass ordinances that are water-wise and water-efficient. There's three main requirements. There's no lawn in park strips, no lawn in areas less than eight feet in width, and in a new commercial, industrial, and institutional multi-family development. The common area landscaping law does not exceed 20% of the total landscaped area. Those are the minimum requirements, but they're very tailorable to your city's needs. She understands that it's not a one-size-fits-all program, but the state has asked her to urge cities to consider it again.
(6:04 PM) Kyle Harris, from Petersboro is painting the fire hydrants around Mendon.
They've already finished a few. It'll help make them more visible. They haven't been painted in about 20 years and they have some flaky paint. He has
had clear communication with Kirk and with the fire chief as well.
Topic 2- PUBLIC HEARING: 2025-2026 Budget Adjustments (6:05 PM)
Motion: Councilmember Garbe made a motion to close city council meeting and open a public hearing for the 2025-2026 Budget Adjustments. Councilmember Myers seconded the motion.
Action: Councilmembers Garbe, Watkins, Jepsen, Myers, and Heers voted aye. The motion passed.
Mayor Buist thanked both recorders and both treasurers. The mayor began summarizing the budget changes to be approved.
- Funds were moved from the general reserve to the Administration Budget for a $42,200 donation.
- $34,000 or unspent budget returned to the General Fund.
- $37,100 to be added to the Fire Department budget from wildfire and grants.
- $70,000 in the water budget returned to the Water Fund.
- $14,800 in the Perpetual Care Funds returned to the Perpetual Care Fund.
- Carried over to FY2027 or later: * Capital Projects = $31,000; * Library = $7,800;
* Parks RAPZ = $56,500; B&C, CCOG, RTIF Street Improvements = $69,100
Next are the expenditures funded by utilities and other billings:
Line Item: Prior Budget: Updated Budget: Change:
Administration $76,470 $154,770 $78,300 increase
Attorney $4,000 $400 $3,600 decrease
Buildings - Other $35,000 $39,000 $4,000 increase
Buildings - Station $16,000 $10,300 $5,700 decrease
Building Permits $30,000 $10,500 $19,500 decrease
Capital Projects - City Expansion $528,100 $530,100 $2,000 increase
Capital Projects - Playground $27,500 $28,200 $700 increase
Capital Projects - PW Building $385,000 $351,300 $33,700 decrease
Celebrations $25,200 $25,500 $2,300 increase
Cemetery - Operations $30,000 $32,000 $2,000 increase
Cemetery - Expansion $100,000 $85,200 $14,800 decrease
Engineering - General $10,000 $14,200 $4,200 increase
Fire Department $123,000 $156,700 $37,000 increase
Firehouse Loan Payments $12,726 $12,726 no change
Land Use Authority $19,000 $12,700 $6,300 decrease
Library $47,878 $25,078 $22,800 decrease
Park Operations $75,000 $82,000 $7,000 increase
Parks - RAPZ $451,000 $394,000 $56,600 decrease
Planning & Zoning $6,000 $7,000 $1,000 increase
Quality of Life $178,500 $146,900 $31,600 decrease
Sanitation $120,000 $128,400 $8,400 increase
Street Operations $75,000 $57,900 $17,100 decrease
Street - B&C, CCOG, RTIF $360,000 $290,900 $69,100 decrease
Water $400,000 $330,000 $70,000 decrease
Our total 2026 budget was $3,135,734, excluding the $37,000 additional funding we anticipate from the fire department. We'll spend about $2,930,000, less than we budgeted. Therefore, we're asking to add to the budget $42,200 general fund reserves from 'In the Shade of the Mountain' book donation. To return $34,000 unused budget dollars to the general reserve. Approval for an additional $37,100 fire department funding from wildfire and grant income. To carry over $31,000 in one-time capital projects into fiscal year 2027. To carry over $7,800 in library, county, and donation funding into fiscal year 2027. To carry over $69,100 in combined PNC, COG, and RTIF street funding into fiscal year 2027. To return $84,800 in water and perpetual care funds to their reserves.
Public Comment:
Mayor Buist opened the public hearing to the public for any comment on the budget adjustments for the fiscal year 2025-2026. There was no comment from the public. He said he would entertain a motion to close the public hearing on the budget adjustments, and to reopen council meeting.
Motion:
Councilmember Heers made a motion to close the public hearing on the annexation and reopen council meeting. Councilmember Jepsen seconded the motion.
Action:
Councilmembers Garbe, Watkins, Jepsen, Myers, and Heers voted aye. The motion passed.
Motion:
Councilmember Jepsen motioned to approve the changes for the fiscal budget for 2025-2026. Councilmember Watkins seconded the motion.
Action:
Councilmembers Garbe, Watkins, Jepsen, Myers, and Heers voted aye. The motion passed.
Topic 3- PUBLIC HEARING - 2026-2027 Fiscal Budget (6:20 PM)
Motion: Councilmember Jepsen made a motion to close city council meeting and open a public hearing for the presentation of the 2026-2027 budget. Councilmember Myers seconded the motion.
Action:
Councilmembers Garbe, Watkins, Jepsen, Myers, and Heers voted aye. The motion passed.
Mayor Buist presented the 2026-2027 budget line by line.
- $125,000 in the Administration Budget. We've made some investment in additional employees. He asked to make an investment in the employees again with raises this year. It's really important that we invest in our good people.
- $30,000 - Buildings remains the same as last year
- Mendon Station - $30,000
- Cemetery - $30,000
- Cemetery Expansion - $25,000
- Parks - $75,000 - remains the same as last year.
- Streets - $269,000
- COG Project - $367,607
- Fire Department - $125,000
- EMS/911 - $42,000
- Sheriff - $16,980
- Animal Control - $4,500
- Surface Water - $20,000
- Library - $47,000
- Court System - $4,800
- Softball Leagues - $10,000
- Youth Council - $6,500
- Sanitation - $135,000
- Misc. Celebration Costs - $7,000. $4,500 of that for 45 more porta-potties.
- May Day - $4,200
- Easter Egg Hunt - $500
- Pioneer Day - $19,000. The $3,000 increase is from mor donated funds from citizens for fireworks.
- City IT, Municode, CVSEO - $35,000
- P&Z - $10,000
- Land Use Authority - $15,000
- Building Permits - $100,000
- Public Works Building - $7,500.
- Fire Hall Payments - $12,726.
- Water Conservancy (Canal Shares) - $15,300.
- Engineering Fees - $20,000
- Attorney Fees - $40,000.
- Truck Lease - $22,000
For a total of $1,988,338 - the proposed 2026-2027 Budget
One time money, money that you won't necessarily see next year, or if you see it next year, it's in a different form is as follows:
- CCCOG - $367,607
- Playground - $175,724
- Building Permits (pass through) - $100,000
- General Reserve Capital Projects - $175,000
- B&C Road Carry Over - $64,000
Total of One Time Money $882,331
Expected Revenue was set low at $1,130,000. It's likely we will have more than that. He wanted to show that he is presenting the proposed budget minus one time funds of $ 1,106,007, and that there are more revenues than expenditures.
Capital Projects Breakdown
- Playground - $175,724.84
- Capital Project List - $175,000.00
Total of $350,724.84
The 2026/2027 Capital Project List was proposed as the following:
- Accounting Software - $14,000
- Pioneer Park Pump - $39,400
- Cemetery Canal Bore - $12,000
- Cemetery Mower - $25,000
- Four Wheeler - $9,200
- Street Lighting - $10,100
- Mendon Station Outside Paint - $20,000
- Security Cameras Park - $15,500
- Security Cameras Pickleball Courts - $8,700
The security cameras do not include the approximate $600 per year internet fee
- Printer - $5,000
- Contingency - $6,100 The Mayor suggested $8,425 bid for landscaping be adjusted to $6,100 by having city workers help with the labor, and be taken out of the Contingency budget. If there is any cost remaining, it will be covered in the Parks budget.
Total $175,000
Mayor Buist expressed gratitude for the one full-time employee, and a lot of part-time employees.
- Public Works Director - 5 % salary increase. Kirk has worked for Mendon City for 21 years and has 15 days of vacation. It was proposed that 5 days be added to his benefit package.
- Mason Taylor, who assists Kirk is at $20 an hour. Suggested increase to $21 an hour.
- Public Works Summer Help - one increased to $12 an hour and the other helper increased to $13 an hour.
- Treasurer - increased from $20 an hour to $22 an hour.
- Deputy Treasurer - Increase from $14 an hour to $16 an hour.
- Recorder - Increase from $18 an hour to $20 an hour.
- Deputy Recorder - Increase from $18 an hour to $20 an hour.
- City Clerk / Office Manager - mid year increase from $20 an hour to $21 an hour.
- P&Z Secretary - mid year increase from $15 an hour to $16 an hour.
- Deputy Clerk - Increase from $14 an hour to $16 an hour.
- Head Librarian - Increase to $17 an hour.
- Library Assistant Heather Benson increased to $13.60 an hour.
- Library Assistant Heather Richens to remain at $13.60 an hour.
- Custodian - Audrey Devon - Councilmember Myers will talk with her and offer a small increase for doing what she's doing and to do a little bit more.
- Mayor, City Council, Planning & Zoning, Sexton and all of their employees not listed will remain at current pay scales.
Public Comment:
Mayor Buist opened the public hearing to the public for any comment on the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget. There was no comment from the public. He said he would entertain a motion to close the public hearing on the budget adjustments, and to reopen council meeting.
Motion:
Councilmember Watkins motioned to close the public hearing and open council meeting. Councilmember Heers seconded the motion.
Action:
Council members Garbe, Watkins, Jepsen, Myers, and Heers voted aye. The motion passed.
Discussion:
Mayor Buist expressed appreciation to City Council for accepting some hard assignments. Without them he couldn't do what he does.
Motion:
Councilmember Garbe made a motion to accept the fiscal year budget as presented for 2026-2027. Councilmember Myers seconded the motion.
Action:
Councilmembers Garbe, Watkins, Jepsen, Myers, and Heers voted aye. The motion passed.
Topic 4- PUBLIC HEARING - Right-of-Way Excavation Permit (7:13 PM)
Kirk Taylor asked to have the public hearing for the Right-of-Way Excavation Permit moved to the next city council meeting. He wants to check with other communities to see what their permits and charges are before proceeding.
Topic 6- Law Enforcement Liaison - Deputy Spence (7:17PM)
Gary Saxton had stepped out so we continued with Topic 6. Deputy Spence came in before the meeting and asked to be excused to do some patrolling. Next month we will discuss Pioneer Day. Mayor Buist thanked Deputy Spence for his service.
Topic 7- City Engineer - Eric Dursteler (7:17 PM)
300 North is under construction. They anticipate being done at the end of July with that portion. They are working through a few nuances up there. There's a few gas lines to move, a powerline to move, and 2 trees to come down. They are going to rerun the powerline on the north side of the road and across a driveway. The power will be out tomorrow morning from 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM and will affect twenty-six customers around that area. Everything except the bridge where the canal is will be done by the end of July. They won't work on the bridge until the water goes out of the canal in the Fall. Councilmember Jepson was asked to get a canal crossing permit for the culverts to cross the canal. Eric received a call from Sam Balls and he wants it to work. The applications, which includes a description of the work they are doing in the canal, need to be submitted to the district so it can be permitted.
Legacy Park is 99.9% completed. There was an incident where a person hit the corner of the curb and blew a tire out. They have addressed a potential solution to cut that curve back and taper it down. The cement guy will be there tomorrow to do that taper. It will cost $700, and $350 for the labor. The power is in. The pedestals are up. He thinks it's a good idea to have some surveillance on those pedestals as well. Those pedestals are a fiberglass cover, not great. Pedestals are metal, but those covers aren't on, so he is concerned about damage occurring. Maybe the youth council will come back and offer to put some grass in the future, or something else.
Topic 8- Public Works Director - Kirk Taylor ( 7:27 PM)
The water is up and running at the cemetery. There is a valve up there he needs to figure what is going on. He's not sure if there is a tear in the diaphragm or just what's going on. He got the old pump at Pioneer Park installed today and is going to start it up tomorrow to get water on the cemetery and Pioneer Park.
The filter down at Taylor Park is cycling about every five minutes. They're thinking it's dirty because it is at the end of the line. It has been a week since he started that up down there. Eric Nelson came in and got all the nozzles put in the sprinkling system.
Enbridge is scheduled to start Monday or Tuesday, next week. We've done blue stakes.
They've been marking out their own lines. Kirk will work close with Shane Dozhier, the lead on that project for the second the phase. Whitaker had the first phase. There was a big meeting with Enbridge here the other day.
Water springs are in as good of shape as they can be. He started the wells up, so they're supplementing our distribution system. We haven't had the real heat yet. Kirk will continue to monitor that all summer long. He is frequently asked about water restrictions. At this point, we're not foreseeing any. Hopefully people are being careful with their water usage..
The poplars that were cut down on 2nd East have been stacked on the west side of the road. He is trying to let people know to come get free firewood. It might be helpful to get something put on 411. Daphne said she would post it.
Topic 5- Top of Utah Marathon - Gary Saxton (7:32 PM)
Gary Saxton introduced himself. His job is with the Logan Downtown Alliance for historic downtown in Logan. Part of his job description is to create events that activate downtown. This marathon wouldn't be possible if we didn't activate a little bit of momentum along with it. He expressed his gratitude in advance of the council's approval. This will be the eighth year coming through Mendon. They try to have a minimal impact on the city. They try to get out information to (especially the 600 south residents) that lets them know what's happening that day. This is a United States track and field sanctioned event. And it's also the only marathon in Utah that is a USA Olympic team qualifying marathon for the Olympic Games. The winners of this marathon are invited to compete to be on the Olympic team. In Paris, there were two Utah men representing the United States. One from Smithfield and one from Utah County.
The marathon route was shared with the council. There will be a local traffic only road closure. They need to reduce the risk of the impact of spectators traveling out to Mendon to check on the runners. But the residents can go through. The county sheriff deputies will be there and will allow the local traffic to go through. They will instruct them to drive careful and watch for runners. They only have 250 runners, so it's not a big race. They are the hardest marathon in Utah. This is a very difficult, flat marathon. They qualify as an Olympic trials marathon because they can't do downhill marathons to qualify. Runners in Mendon will come through between 8 and 11 a.m.
The route is all right-handed turns except when you get back out to Mendon on the 5400 West. First east is the furthest west that the runners go. There is a little symbol in the lower left-hand corner of the map where portable restrooms are located. The only aid station is located at the corner at 250 South, 100 East. They have signs on the road that says there's a marathon taking place. They go out about a week in advance and let the residents along 600 south know that there will be runners. There are road closure signs informing traffic of the marathon taking place. The marathon is on September 19th this year.
Motion:
Councilmember Heers motioned that they support the marathon. It was seconded by Councilmember Jepson.
Action:
Councilmembers Garbe, Watkins, Jepsen, Myers, and Heers voted aye. The motion passed.
Topic 9 - Councilmembers Reports: (7:41 PM)
Brian Myers- (7:42 PM)
He had a quick Mayday meeting about three weeks ago at his home. There were some questions that came up. They're wondering if they need to have the Maypole Dancers' parents sign a release form to participate, just in case there's an injury or something. Mayor Buist said to call the city clerk and she can print out a liability form for the parents to sign. Kirk was made aware that one of the practice main poles is in pretty tough shape and they are looking into anchoring the pole. He thinks Kirk should look at it and come up with a new pole between now and next May Day. Kirk said the poles get ripped apart by the bolts because they tighten them up and then they roll them, making the bolts twist and grind. They have been told not to tighten the bolts until they are moved to where they want it to be and then tighten them.
Councilmember Myers asked Councilmember Watkins about how they might tie Mayday with the historical committee. Councilmember Watkins works with the historical committee. Councilmember Myers said that Laura Morgan might serve on the historical committee. Mayor Buist made the suggestion of asking Larry Olsen and Valeri Larson to serve on the historical committee.
Councilmember Myers and Garbe attended the meeting about the canal EIS. The environmental impact statement was presented and it is open for comment right now.
Amy Garbe- (7:48 PM)
Thirteen letters for junk car violations have been sent. We've received six responses. They were sent to property owners the city has received complaints about.
The forestry grant that we were hoping to get for the trees said that it was going to be open in June, and it's not. She thinks a lot of the reason is because of the administration. She will check back to see if it opens up.
The new youth council mayor is Sadie Robbins. The Youth Council planned out the year, and it looks like it'll be good. One of the things that they planned to do was an activity with the taking interviews for people, and working with Cameron on lights. They are planning to be sworn in at the next council meeting in July.
Ben Watkins- (7:54 PM)
He had a question about junk cars and if there are exceptions if someone has a current automotive business. It was answered that any automotive repair business must receive a conditional use permit. The noted mechanics in Mendon have a conditional use permit.
The History Committee is planning their first committee meeting June 28th. Shooting for the fourth Wednesday of each month, taking the months of July and December off. The youth council is going to be involved a little bit with that. He and youth mayor Sadie Robbins got a Facebook page up and running. It is called 'Men in History'. He put a couple things on Mendon 411 to let people know about it. Juliene Robins wants to do a history meeting with displays in the meeting room. Mayor Buist stated his concern with this meeting room. The main donor of the meeting room shares his concerns. He had talked with Juliene about what she had suggested was a display and there's constant movement through here. He defines that as an event, not a meeting. If someone wants an event, we have an event center, the Mendon Station. Different buildings have different uses for different buildings. An example is a church house. There's a difference between the activities that you have in a cultural hall and you have in a chapel.
Councilmember Watkins asked if there was a possibility of an as-needed planner. Especially as the county begins putting pressure to develop the west side sewer district. Mayor Buist said that is not a bad idea and Eric Dursteller agreed. It was suggested Councilmember Watkins speak with the city clerk office manager because she has some experience from the community she previously served in.
The county hired a new planner named Lisa Aedo.
Art Heers- (8:03 PM )
Councilmember Heers was asked when Wayne's Loop trail is going to open. He said there's no news on that since last month, when he reported that in July there is going to be a grand opening of it. Cache County decided they want to pave the road before they issue a conditional use permit. He asked if horses are going to be allowed to go all the way up to the ridge. Mayor Buist said they've allowed them to do that for years and years.
Councilmember Heers said he received a complaint from a resident about three dogs living next door that viciously bark at him. He was told to have the person call dispatch and have animal control take care of it.
He also got a complaint about concrete being poured at 5.30 a.m. three mornings consecutively. Mendon has a noise ordinance of 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM. They need to talk to the neighbor or call dispatch. They are our policing authority.
Mayor Buist asked Councilmember Heers to be sure he's talking with Mosquito Abatement. He wants the city square sprayed twice the week of July 21st through the 25th.
Bob Jepsen- (8:11 PM)
Councilmember Jepsen said he had said what he needed to earlier in the meeting.
Mayor Buist - (8:12 PM)
Mayor Buist thanked all for their support and what they do. He said we will talk about 24th of July next month. Councilmembers are expected to be in the parade. He would love all the office staff to be in the parade, also. The Mayor and Council shirts are here and ready to have the Mendon logo embroidered on them. City staff will be getting shirts, also.
Councilmember Heers said he's not going to be there because he's going on a trip with Ross Peterson's USU tour.
The mayor is meeting tomorrow with the south end mayors and fire chiefs. He's very uncomfortable where this fire district stuff is going, because there's so many unanswered questions. Mendon's fire chief is going with him. Cache County should be invited to attend the meeting where there are approximately 4,000 residents in the unincorporated South end of the county.
Mayor Buist said he'd entertain a motion to adjourn.
Motion: Councilmember Jepsen made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Myers seconded the motion.
Vote: Councilmembers Garbe, Watkins, Jepsen, Myers, and Heers voted aye. The motion passed.
Adjourned (8:18 PM)