TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
ARTS COUNCIL
JANUARY 6, 2026
Members Present:
Zach LeFevre, Chairman
Stephanie DeFilippis, Arts Councilmember
Kathryn Ellis, Arts Councilmember
Lyle Holmgren, Arts Councilmember
Brian Mickelson, Arts Councilmember—excused
Bret Rohde, Arts Councilmember
Tamara Zollinger, Arts Councilmember
Tiffany Lannefeld, Deputy Recorder

Chairman LeFevre called the Arts Council Meeting to order at 11:01 a.m. The meeting was held January 6, 2026 in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Chairman LeFevre, Councilmembers DeFilippis, Ellis, Holmgren, Rohde, and Zollinger, and Deputy Recorder Lannefeld. Councilmember Mickelson was excused.

1. Approval of agenda:

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to approve the January 6, 2026 agenda. Motion seconded by Councilmember DeFilippis. Vote: Chairman LeFevre – yes, Councilmember Ellis – yes, Councilmember Holmgren – yes, Councilmember Rohde – yes, Councilmember Zollinger – yes. Motion approved.

2. Approval of minutes—November 12, 2025 & November 20, 2025

Motion by Councilmember Holmgren to approve the minutes stated above. Motion seconded by Councilmember DeFilippis. Vote: Chairman LeFevre – yes, Councilmember Ellis – yes, Councilmember Holmgren – yes, Councilmember Rohde – yes, Councilmember Zollinger – yes. Motion approved.

3. Business:

a. Presentation by Artists:

Chairman LeFevre presented questions the Council could use to get to know the muralists and the project. Those related to timeline, budget, scope of work and materials. Chairman LeFevre said from the Arts Council portion, we have about $7,500. We usually go to the RDA to request more funds and can apply for grants.

Artist Jason Nessen was first to present. It would be fun to redo this mural because that was the first mural I did for the City. After doing a bunch, you learn a few things. I would make some improvements. I assume you guys have thoughts and ideas and am open to them. Chairman LeFevre said is your vision keeping it roughly the same with improvements or having a different style or concept? Mr. Nessen said roughly the same. My ability to paint on brick has improved so I would be able to make it look nicer as far as detail and clean image. It would be a slightly different color, but still in muted sepia tones. The Council agreed they would like to add some patriotic tones to the new mural and something that would tie into Midland Square with the hotel as the main focus. They shared ideas, which included flags or pops of color. They also discussed ways to merge the past and present, tying the whole area together in a patriotic way. They agreed the mural needs to recognize the area and its history. Mr. Nessen said he remembers the bus station that used to be by the hotel. I lived two blocks from there. After more discussion, the Council agreed it might be nice to have soldiers coming home from war on those buses and being greeted by loved ones. Councilmember DeFilippis said how cool would it be if a veteran is coming off the bus to hug his sweetheart and then in the corner you have an old couple sitting on a bench in Midland Park remembering. That could be the connection between the two. The Council agreed Midland Square has become a very patriotic area and this could be the focus to tie this area together.

The Council reminded Mr. Nessen that these are just ideas and they want him to be inspired as the artist to come up with his own concept. When asked about cost and timeline, Mr. Nessen said it is a pretty straightforward design so $4,000. If we add stuff it might be $5,000. I could have that completed in a month when the weather is better. Chairman LeFevre said our deadline to have the mural done is June 30. They also discussed the cost of supplies and what would be needed to protect the mural long-term. Mr. Nessen said cost would be $5,000 plus materials, which are usually a few hundred dollars. Chairman LeFevre asked him to come back in February with three renditions of his concept, which the City would pay $300 for.

Councilmember Rohde said we should take some of the budget and put permanent signs on the corners of the murals with QR codes sharing information so people can read about their history. While the Council waited for their next presentation, they discussed names that will be added to a brass plaque and placed at Midland Square. The flag pole for the Space Force is still in the works. They also addressed shade structures and the partnership with the veterans.

Artist Layton Scarbrough then presented. Thank you so much for inviting me to present my concept. I am a mural artist and picture book illustrator based out of Northern Virginia. I have my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, which I got from Utah Valley University. I have painted murals full-time for the last three years. My first mural was in 2019 in Provo, Utah. From that moment, I absolutely fell in love with the process of creating art outdoors. Since 2019, I have had the privilege of working with a whole range of clients. In the last three years, I have completed over 60 murals across the Country. Even though I am 2,000 miles away I applied for this project for personal reasons. In 2005, my uncle was killed in the line of duty as a police officer in Detroit. In 2017, I embarked on this personal art journey, drawing portraits of fallen officers and presenting them to their family members. That left a lasting impact on how I approach my work and built a sense of community and drives what I do. My concept focuses on the importance of the Midland Hotel while honoring Officer Estrada and Sergeant Sorensen. I gave the piece a vintage feel and placed the officer in a uniform to transport you to a simpler time to get that sense of nostalgia and timelessness. We start black and white. Since it was requested to include a patriotic element, it felt right to have the stars and stripes waving proudly behind the officer and the little girl. From the street, this would be the first part of the mural that citizens see. The flag leads the viewer’s eyes into the rest of the piece. One of the focal points of the mural, pays respects to the officers. We see a little girl in this bright dress, and she is handing two roses to an officer. He wears the mourning badges and the two roses represent Lee and Eric. The other focal point is the Midland Hotel, which has that vintage feel. Next up, we have the Blue Jay, which is often associated with fearlessness and loyalty. I felt that was a perfect symbol to represent the actions of Eric and Lee in a subtle way. He then discussed the quality products he uses and how those he has created have lasted beautifully. I do all my murals with brushes and rollers. I could complete the mural in five to 10 days, weather-dependent. Cost would be $10,000 and would include my work, supplies, plus travel and lodging.

Councilmember Rohde said I like your layout and ideas. I would like to see the Midland Hotel highlighted a little more. Could we also lose the Blue Jay and just extend the hotel farther to the right. The Council shared some of their ideas discussed previously in the meeting about the bus station and linking the past with the present, including the patriotic feel to tie the whole area together. He was also asked to bring back a few more renditions for their meeting in February and that he would be compensated. After some more feedback, Councilmember Holmgren said we have given you a lot. We are depending on you to pull all of this together in a way that makes sense. Chairman LeFevre said one thing to remember is this is the artist’s discretion. We want you to have the creativity and freedom to do what inspires you under those themes. Even though we have given ideas, we still want you to be passionate about what you come up with and are able to do. Mr. Scarbrough said sounds great, I am excited. I had not even thought of this direction, so I am glad you brought it up. It was a bit difficult coming up with how I was going to make this a cohesive piece and I think your suggestions help. Chairman LeFevre said we will invite you to present again in February and will then make our final selection.

b. Discussion and consideration of Midland Square Mural

Councilmember Rohde said we need to remember that while we have some loyalty to Mr. Nessen, we need to do what is best for the City.

Motion by Councilmember Rohde to table this item until their meeting in February. Motion seconded by Councilmember Ellis. Vote: Chairman LeFevre – yes, Councilmember Ellis – yes, Councilmember Holmgren – yes, Councilmember Rohde – yes, Councilmember Zollinger – yes. Motion approved.

4. Reports & Comments

Chairman LeFevre said Councilmembers Holmgren and Zollinger have served for eight years. We are looking for new people willing to serve. We have appreciated everything you have done and hope you will continue to be involved. If you want to continue in this position, please fill out an application. We can have alternates if there is a lot of interest. We have been grateful for all you have done and are not kicking you off, we just want to give the opportunity to the entire community. We can have seven members for a full Council. We will go through that process and get people who will bring energy and vibrancy to this Council.

5. Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Ellis to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by consensus of the Board. The meeting adjourned at 12:09 p.m.

The undersigned duly acting and appointed Recorder for Tremonton City Corporation hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the Arts Council held on the above referenced date. Minutes were prepared by Jessica Tanner.

Dated this _____day of ___________, 2025.

______________________________
Cynthia Nelson, CITY RECORDER

*Utah Code 52-4-202, (6) allows for a topic to be raised by the public and discussed by the public body even though it was not included in the agenda or advance public notice given; however, no final action will be taken.