General Information

Government Type

Municipality

Entity

Mantua

Public Body

Mantua Town Council

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Town of Mantua Council Meeting Minutes Held on October 17,2024

Notice Tags

Public Records

Notice Type(s)

Notice

Event Start Date & Time

November 21, 2024 06:30 PM

Description/Agenda

Town of Mantua Council Meeting Minutes Held on October 17,2024 6:30 at Town Hall 409 North Main Mantua, Utah Council Members present: Mayor Terry Nelson, Karen Nelson, Ken Jones, Matt Jeppsen, Jared Jeppsen Sherita Schaefer - Recorder Audience present: Pam Eaves, Donald Ruhl, Monica Mund, Taygen Mund, David Ornelas, Robert Waters, Matt Hinton, Glenn Gottlob, Harper Johnson, Janice Johnson, Darla K Jones, Skyler Smith, Debbie Nelson, Cherry Burnett, Nate Carlisle, Craig Huss, Kelly Esparza, Ramona Davis, Michelle Sexton, Joselyn Ayotte, Brian Jeppesen, Zack Denners, Janet Birchfield, Jason Birchfield, Scott Muirbrook, Shauna Muirbrook, Kevin Jeppsen, Ted, Layne, Jalyn Birchfield, Pam Hicken, Joseph Bach, Cindy Bach, Esther Hatch, Hillary Uddy, Craig Bailey, Olivia Bailey, Tim Miles, Tiffany Reimann, Angie Howard, Treye Sayad, Radonna Lowder, Steve Lowder, William A Shoemaker, Cole Curd, Skylar Stokes, Fredrick Mabrey, , Hedi Redington, Andrea Combs, Bryce Coy, Tessa Coy, Sharon Smith, Nick Jensen, Ed Excell, Carrie Clayton, Kimberly Cantrell, Ryan Reimann, Paul Nye, Ryan Fromm, Gardner Jeppsen, Bryce Jeppsen, Kevin Nelson, Kris Enos, Dan Blum, Lara Blum, Lori Hurd, Will Ross, Marcus Abel, and 4 County Sheriff Department Officers Meeting opened by Mayor Terry Nelson and the invocation offered by David Ornelas. Pledge of allegiance - led by Mayor Terry Nelson followed by all in attendance. Meeting minutes held on September 19th, 2024 (Approved, vote: 5-0) Consideration to pay the bills: Matt Jeppsen made a motion to approve the bills, Karen Nelson seconded. Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Ken Jones, Karen Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Jared Jeppsen No votes: None Abstained: None MOTION PASSED Presentation: Town Concerns Kevin Jeppsen: Jeppsen expressed that over three-quarters of the community members have had negative experiences with Chief Midkiff, citing instances where he allegedly used excessive force, such as throwing individuals against their cars for minor offenses like stop sign violations. He mentioned concerns about Midkiff's treatment of residents, including requiring new arrivals to provide their driver's license within a week of moving to the area. Tiffany Reinmann: Reinmann shared Rick Schulze's experience following a police encounter on October 5. She recounted that Midkiff reportedly put Schulze's head in a headlock and slammed him to the ground, resulting in a concussion. Reinmann expressed outrage over this excessive force, emphasizing Schulze's good character and community standing. She announced her initiative to gather signatures for a petition advocating for better law enforcement standards, highlighting the strong community support for Schulze and noting that many residents have faced similar negative experiences with the police. Reinmann mentioned that this was only one petition supporting Schulze, a local resident who faced issues with the police, and it successfully gathered over 240 signatures. Joseph Bach: Bach emphasized the extensive financial implications of maintaining a local police department, urging a comprehensive evaluation of all costs beyond salaries and benefits. These include expenses for hiring, housing, vehicles, training, fuel, equipment, and legal fees from potential lawsuits, which can quickly accumulate. He argued that such decisions impact county taxes and are more complex than they appear. Bach advocated for consulting experts familiar with the challenges of small towns, suggesting that focusing on data-driven solutions can help avoid pitfalls tied to tradition and pride. He warned that prioritizing tradition over practicality could have serious consequences for taxpayers and the community, and he urged the council to thoughtfully consider their options rather than placing this critical issue on the back burner. Report on Police Review Seth Tate, Town Attorney Seth Tate, the town attorney, provided an overview of the review process following the incident on October 5th. He was contacted by the Mayor to analyze the use of force in this case, and despite the usual lengthy timeline for such reviews, he prepared an initial report to share insights with the council. Tate acknowledged that while they may not have all the information yet, significant data has been gathered, including surveillance footage and incident reports from the police department. He mentioned that while the body cam video totals nearly three hours, excerpts would be shown for context without infringing on others' privacy. Tate explained that the incident began with a call about a potential domestic violence situation, with multiple law enforcement agencies already on the scene when Midkiff arrived. As the investigation unfolded, Midkiff took steps to ensure safety during the sensitive situation, but ultimately found probable cause to make an arrest. Tate elaborated that the chief's decision-making was guided by a need to manage the tense environment and prevent escalation. In discussing the legal context of force used by officers, Tate referred to established legal standards and criteria such as the severity of the suspected crime, immediate threats posed, and whether the arrestee was resisting. He summarized that while the misdemeanor charge against the individual involved could suggest excessive force, the circumstances surrounding Schulze actions and the potential threats to the officer played a substantial role in the use of force assessment. He indicated that this preliminary finding leans towards justifying Midkiff's actions given the context. Tate outlined that POST (the division of Police Officers Standards and Training) would be reviewing the case, and he agreed with their recommendation for an independent review by an uninvolved agency to ensure objectivity and thoroughness in assessing the incident. He emphasized that they are committed to transparency while navigating legal constraints surrounding privacy and records requests. Tate concluded his remarks by affirming that they are actively working to provide accurate and fair evaluations, while understanding that more information may emerge as the investigation continues. Public Comments (Per Utah Code, Council will receive input only, no decision can be made on public comment.) The mayor reminded attendees that the Council would receive input from the public but would not make decisions during this time. Monica Mund: Expressed her gratitude to the council members and their spouses for maintaining a calm demeanor throughout the ongoing situation. She appreciated their ability to remain level- headed amidst rumors and heightened emotions surrounding the issue at hand. Munds found the meeting helpful, as it provided her with a clearer understanding of the facts rather than just opinions or one-sided narratives. Janis Johnson: Recalled her long history in the community, noting that she has lived there for over 40 years and worked at the local justice court for 32 years before retiring. She acknowledged the seriousness of the recent incident but emphasized the importance of following legal processes. Johnson expressed concern for town employees who have faced harassment during the investigations and underscored that individuals are innocent until proven guilty. She highlighted that misinformation had led to distress in the community, including her own experience with aggressive petition soliciting despite her stated disinterest. Johnson thanked the town council for allowing both sides to present their perspective during the meeting and called for unity as the community addresses the situation. Dave Ornelas: Shared his feelings about moving to the town, emphasizing that tradition and community are why people choose to live there. He expressed sadness over the negative attention the town was receiving and criticized the airing of its problems in public. Ornelas urged residents to handle conflicts discreetly and to avoid making hasty decisions without proper evidence. He pointed out that the chief of police deserves a fair evaluation of his actions and that decisions should be made based on complete information rather than emotions alone. Urged respect towards police officers and noted that tensions can escalate easily during such incidents. Darla Jones: Took a balanced approach, giving the benefit of the doubt to all parties involved in the incident. She highlighted the importance of understanding the various factors at play over the hours leading up to the incident. Jones acknowledged the good intentions of both the family involved and the police officer, noting that emotions can sometimes cloud judgment. She cautioned against spreading misinformation, which can lead to harmful consequences for families and the community at large. Jones encouraged supporting law enforcement and recognizing their daily challenges while also acknowledging that bad officers exist in all professions. She called for unity in supporting those who protect the community. Brian Jeppson: Shared his personal experience regarding his arrest for animal cruelty, expressing confusion and frustration about the officer's actions. He stated that even others in the sheriff's department did not understand why he was jailed overnight without a ticket. Jeppsen felt that the officer had failed to communicate effectively, particularly in not contacting his wife to inform her of his situation, which caused significant stress for their family. He concluded by reiterating his belief that the officer's approach was excessively forceful and unnecessary. Discussion and Action Items: Town General Plan & Proposed Land Use Code Details on the development and recent updates to the Town's General Plan were shared. Karen Nelson articulated the need for a cohesive document that reflects the town's vision and regulatory framework. She mentioned ongoing and future projects aimed at community development. CIP Karen Nelson updated the Council and attendees on the upcoming CIP meeting and the necessity of documentation for capital projects, including infrastructure repairs and planning for future growth. Amendment to Short Term Rentals Discussions focused on updating regulations for short-term rentals, ensuring the amendments align with both ongoing community needs and the newly adopted General Plan. Rental Agreement for Parks Updates regarding the establishment of consistent rental agreements for various town parks were discussed to improve facility usage and management. Planning & Zoning Pam Eaves reported on the recent planning and zoning meeting's success in adopting the new General Plan and amendments. The plan is designed for flexibility, allowing for adjustments based on community feedback. Karen Nelson moved that we accept the General Plan for 2024 to replace the old general plan which was originally written in 2006, Ken Jones seconded. Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Ken Jones, Karen Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Jared Jeppsen No votes: None Abstained: None MOTION PASSED Karen Nelson moved that we accept the 2024 Land Use Code as given to us by planning and zoning, Ken Jones seconded. Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Ken Jones, Karen Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Jared Jeppsen No votes: None Abstained: None MOTION PASSED Public Works: Marcus Abel discussed ongoing public works projects and emphasized diligence in maintaining town infrastructure. He addressed the importance of keeping roadways clear during inclement weather and maintaining street lighting. Fire Department: Matt Jeppsen updated the Council on fire department activities, underlining initiatives for training and community outreach. He also mentioned upcoming events, including the Halloween gathering for residents. Grants: Karen Nelson provided insights on current and upcoming grants available for town projects, emphasizing the significance of community involvement in the grant writing process. Mayor and Council Comments: Mayor Terry Nelson: Stated that he frequently coordinates with Chief of Police Dakota Midkiff, who expressed his apologies for how recent events unfolded. Midkiff reassured the mayor that he did not intend for things to escalate as they did. While the outcome remains uncertain, both the mayor and the town council are dedicated to making the best decisions for the community. Matt Jeppsen: Praised the appearance of the parks and cemetery, thanking the public works crew and volunteers for their hard work in maintaining these spaces. He also recognized Pam Eaves for her efforts in coordinating the creation of the land use code book, expressing appreciation for everyone's comments despite the time that has passed since the discussions began. Karen Nelson: Expressed her gratitude to the volunteers who participated in the recent day of service, which saw over 300 individuals contributing their time. She noted that volunteers of all ages worked on various projects, including improvements to the main street park, the pickleball court, and the walking trail. She remains hopeful that the entire community can come together in unity. Jared Jeppsen: Emphasized the professionalism demonstrated by the mayor, acknowledging that town staff have worked hard despite facing challenges from some individuals. He reiterated that the staff were not involved in the recent incident and thanked them for their contributions to the town. Jeppsen expressed appreciation for the mayor's ability to address the situation calmly and efficiently while ensuring that due process is followed. Ken Jones: Highlights the immense challenges faced by police officers, particularly when responding to domestic violence cases. With family members in law enforcement, he shares a personal perspective on the difficult and often dangerous nature of these calls. Domestic violence situations are inherently volatile, and tensions can escalate quickly, putting both the officers and those involved at risk. The pressure on police officers is immense; they must make split-second decisions that can have life-altering consequences. This is exacerbated by factors such as social media, which can distort public perception of police actions. Jones stresses the importance of allowing law enforcement to perform their duties without interference. When bystanders do not respect the officers' instructions to stay away, it can complicate matters and potentially endanger everyone involved. His comments also shed light on the tragic statistics surrounding police fatalities during such calls, pointing out that domestic violence responses have accounted for a significant number of officer deaths. Essentially, Jones calls for greater community support and understanding for police officers, emphasizing the need for public respect and collaboration to ensure the safety of all parties involved. Matt Jeppsen made a motion to adjourn, Karen Nelson seconded. Yes votes: Mayor Terry Nelson, Ken Jones, Karen Nelson, Matt Jeppsen, Jared Jeppsen No votes: None Abstained: None MOTION PASSED Time: 8:30 P.M

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 Sherita Schaefer at 435-723-7054.

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

N/A

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

409 No Main St
Mantua, UT 84324
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Contact Name

Sherita Schaefer

Contact Email

sschaefer@mantuautah.gov

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

November 22, 2024 10:15 AM

Notice Last Edited On

November 22, 2024 10:15 AM

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