Far West council approves consulting contracts, easement vacation and employee-leave changes; records abstentions and roll calls

The Far West City Council approved a package of administrative and capital items at its meeting, including consulting contracts, a public-easement vacation ordinance, several land-use approvals and an update to employee leave and probationary policies.

The council adopted Ordinance 2026‑10 to vacate four feet of a public utility easement at 3916 North 2650 West after the city’s public-works and community-development staff confirmed sewer lines would remain accessible and neighboring easements provided redundancy. The ordinance passed by roll call with unanimous votes.

Council approved a $56,650 contract with Methods Consulting to prepare the city’s Transportation Capital Facilities Plan and Impact Fee Facilities Plan — a state-mandated analysis that will inform possible future transportation impact fees. The firm’s scope includes traffic counts and a financial analysis; the draft is expected by December. Councilor Katie disclosed a conflict of interest (her spouse is a shareholder/employee of Methods) and abstained from the roll-call vote.

The council also approved a time-and-materials contract with Avenue Consulting for initial property-acquisition and negotiation services related to the planned 1200 West/Harrisville Road roundabout project. Members asked about hourly billing and oversight; staff said WHOG (regional) funding will reimburse the contract. Councilor Katie abstained from that vote as well.

Other approvals included:

- Parker Rock and Dirt LLC business license (conditional‑use basis at a commercial site) — approved by motion.
- Conditional-use permits for accessory structures over 2,000 sq ft for Katherine Schmidt and Howard Black — both approved.
- Utah Structures site plan at 3810 North 2000 West — approved.
- Amendments to the city’s leave policy: employees may now carry up to 80 hours of vacation into a following fiscal year and may, under rules, receive a one-time payout of up to 40 hours if at least 80 hours remain after payout. The council also extended new full-time employees’ probationary period from six to 12 months; the personnel-policy changes passed by roll call (unanimous).

Council members recorded a mix of voice votes and roll-call votes; two contract votes included abstentions recorded on the public record. Staff said pending materials and agency approvals remain for some items and that staff will follow up with required documentation.

Votes at a glance: Methods Consulting contract — approved (Katie abstained); Avenue Consulting contract — approved (Katie abstained); Ordinance 2026‑10 easement vacation — approved (unanimous); Parker Rock and Dirt license — approved; Utah Structures site plan — approved; Katherine Schmidt and Howard Black conditional-use permits — approved; vacation/PTO policy amendments and probationary period change — approved (unanimous).