City Council Minutes 1-6-26

TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 6, 2026

Members Present:
Kristie Bowcutt
Brent Jex
Beau Lewis
Sharri Oyler
Blair Westergard
Bret Rohde, Mayor
Linsey Nessen, Interim City Manager
Cynthia Nelson, City Recorder

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP

Mayor Rohde called the January 6, 2026 City Council Workshop to order at 5:59 p.m. The meeting was held in the City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Mayor Rohde, Councilmembers Bowcutt, Jex, Lewis, Oyler, and Westergard, Interim City Manager Nessen, and City Recorder Nelson.

1. Call to Order and Declaration of Conflict of Interest

Mayor Rohde reviewed how they will proceed with their meetings in the new year. On our agenda I have asked Recorder Nelson to lead us in a Call to Order, which she did. Mayor Rohde said now we are going to declare Conflict of Interest, which we will do again for the public in our 7 p.m. meeting. Our City Conflict of Interest states that if you, or anyone in your household, has a financial benefit you need to declare a conflict and excuse yourself from the discussion. Councilmember Lewis said my little brother works for Rupp’s Trucking so I will not participate in that part of the discussion.

2. Council Reports and Updates: None.

3. Presentations:

a. Emotional Wellness Presentation—Cassandra Merrill & Mary Sue Swift

Ms. Merrill said the idea of this Emotional Wellness Committee came about because of the things that have happened this past year. We have had high-profile arrests, murders, suicides, and general unrest. People are scared and not sure what is going on. According to a recent survey, people do not recommend living here. They do not feel like it is a safe place to raise their family. This committee wants to help combat that. Overall, we want Tremonton to become a happier, more welcoming place where people feel safe. The Emotional Wellness Committee goal is to cultivate belonging, create action plans and projects to help people feel like they belong and are connected. When a tragedy does happen, they know there are resources. To create a diverse committee, we need a variety of people, experiences, and expertise. We also want to include the youth, as well as senior citizens. Our proposal is to start out as a mayoral committee, which allows more flexibility. We can have meetings and group chats with volunteers. We want to spearhead events and have a tragedy plan in place. We also want to have a positive Facebook group, where people can share the good. There are so many groups already out there doing things and we want to partner with them. We would report to the mayor in real time. We would also present to the Council as needed. The Council agreed this was a step in the right direction and thanked her for her time.

b. New Member Training—Mayor Rohde

Mayor Rohde said these are ideas we are baking. If you like them, great, if not then speak up. We are a team. In your packet is this training, but here are the highlights. This manual is designed to protect our integrity and the City’s tax dollars. Our goal is to hit level six on the dignity scale where the truth is our foundation and respect is our delivery system. Let us lead Tremonton by moving heated debates off the screen and into this room. He reviewed their roles and how they should conduct themselves in these meetings. If we have complex questions for City staff, let us ask them ahead of time so they can come prepared. Also, respect the vote. Once the vote is taken, the decision is over and we are united. We do not have to agree, but we need to be united. During Public Comment we are here to listen. We acknowledge the input and thank them. If their concerns require follow up, we will refer them to the City Manager. We can ask clarifying questions, but not discuss or make decisions. The Council then reviewed their dress code.

Mayor Rohde said hard conversations require the honest truth and a respectful tone. The truth is our highest priority, but we need to deliver it correctly. We as a Council, need to treat each other with the highest level of respect and the citizens with the same respect. We expect the same from the public. Councilmember Jex reminded the Council that they need to allow citizens to express themselves how they see fit and have their freedom of speech. The Council agreed, but stated they should lead by example in how they conduct themselves as a Council. Mayor Rohde said I would like to encourage that we do not use this chamber as a venue to vent against individuals. Let us encourage dialogue. As the culture develops and we treat each other with respect, people will come with that same attitude.

Mayor Rohde then explained the law as it pertains to social media and how they should conduct themselves individually and collectively. They also addressed the Open and Public Meetings Act and what constitutes a meeting. Anytime three or more Councilmembers discuss City business that is a quorum. They are encouraged to avoid being in groups of three outside of these meetings. Also, not to reply to group text or emails, that needs to be done individually. Mayor Rohde said we would like Recorder Nelson to report directly to the Mayor and Council. She will be our direct line with a dotted line to the City Manager. This has been suggested as the standard practice in most cities, is to have the recorder report directly to the Mayor and Council. We will present a resolution with these changes next meeting.

4. Review of the agenda items identified on 7:00 p.m. City Council Agenda

Mayor Rohde said we have a resolution on the table tonight about a bid for the widening of Rocket Road. Manager Nessen said this is a project we budgeted for in July ($1.5 million). This would include widening the canal. Our engineer gave us an updated estimate that came in at $1.13 million. We received 18 bids ranging from $1.03 million to $1.87 million. The lowest qualified bid we received is Rupp’s Trucking ($1.03 million). We recommend awarding it to them.

Mayor Rohde said I would like to switch items 7 and 8. Eventually I want to have an online sign up for public comments. Those would be given first priority. There will also be a sign-up sheet on the door. Those will have second priority. After that, anyone who wants to come up and give comment can, but I would like to keep comments to 30 minutes with each person getting three minutes. We have a timer on the wall. On nights when there is a hot topic, we will extend that 30 minutes time limit. Utah State law says the Council cannot debate or take action on non-agenda items. After some research, it has been determined we can put everything in our Consent Agenda except for ordinances. Those need to be discussed individually. If anyone feels a resolution needs to have further discussion, just say so during approval of the agenda and we can drop that out to be discussed individually. We plan to hold presentations and discussion during the workshop but can continue discussions as needed into the regular meeting. A 10-minute window for public discussion on an ordinance or resolution could be permitted with three minutes apiece. They can ask questions and we can engage at that time because it is a decision we would act on that night. We will have 10 minutes to either move forward or deny, or to table the discussion instead of spending an hour debating.

5. CLOSED MEETING: No Closed Meeting held at this time.

a. Strategy session to discuss the purchase of real property when public discussion of the transaction would disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the property under consideration or prevent the public body from completing the transaction on the best possible terms; and/or
b. Strategy session to discuss the character, professional competence or physical or mental health of an individual; and/or
c. Strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation; and/or
d. Discussions regarding security personnel, devices or systems

The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. by consensus of the Council.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Mayor Rohde called the January 6, 2025 City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was held in the Tremonton City Council Meeting Room at 102 South Tremont Street, Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Mayor Rohde, Councilmembers Bowcutt, Jex, Lewis, Oyler, and Westergard, Interim City Manager Nessen, and City Recorder Nelson.

1. Call to Order

2. Invocation by: Pastor Samuel Markham, River of Life Church
Pledge led by: Student Jake Smart

3. Swearing in of Newly Elected Officials—Recorder Nelson led then in the Oath of Office

4. Approval of Agenda:

Motion by Councilmember Lewis to switch items 7 and 8. Motion seconded by Councilmember Jex. Vote: Councilmember Bowcutt – yes, Councilmember Jex – yes, Councilmember Lewis – yes, Councilmember Oyler – yes, Councilmember Westergard – yes. Motion approved.

5. Declaration of Conflict of Interest

Councilmember Lewis said I declare a Conflict of Interest. My brother works for Rupp’s Trucking.

6. Presentations

a. Recognition of Past Mayor and Councilmembers

The Council recognized former Mayor Lyle Holmgren and Councilmembers Wes Estep and Brandon Vonk for their service. They were presented with awards and took a picture.

b. Tremonton City Citizenship Award to Elementary and Intermediate Students – presented by Former Mayor Lyle Holmgren

Mayor Rohde said two years ago former Councilmembers Connie Archibald and Wes Estep came up with this great idea of recognizing our students for their efforts. Mayor Holmgren has been a big part of that. We would like to thank them for getting this tradition started. I have asked Mayor Holmgren to present those awards tonight. Former Mayor Holmgren said I appreciate this privilege. The idea of civility is so important to our community and these young people are examples to us older people.

c. Years of service award to Anna Sanders – 5 years at the Senior Center

Senior Center Director Jenny Christensen provided a bio on Anna Sanders, and they thanked her for her service.

7. Consent Agenda – Any Councilmember may request an item be removed for separate discussion

a. Approval of minutes – December 2, 2025
b. Approval of Resolution No. 26-01 awarding a bid for the Rocket Road widening project

Motion by Councilmember Jex to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion seconded by Councilmember Bowcutt. Roll Call Vote: Councilmember Bowcutt – yes, Councilmember Jex – yes, Councilmember Lewis – yes, Councilmember Oyler – yes, Councilmember Westergard – yes. Motion approved.

8. Citizen Engagement – General Public Comment

Ben Greener said I would like to point out that the U.S. Space Force celebrated its sixth birthday, but we still do not have the flag up on that pole. Also, I notice there is a light there, but wondered why we do not have a light on the flag. If we have the capability to do that, we should. Another point I would like to make is about City garbage cans. You have about a dozen or so that are all open topped. I do not know how often they get emptied, but that trash accumulates and blows out. They also collect rain. I suggest you get rid of them. Around 600 North 1000 West, up the canal, there is a narrow bridge. In October, there were four or five kids going to the skate park and they were walking between the canal and cars. I do not know why we do not have a pedestrian bridge over that canal for our kids to come out of the housing area and go to that park. We also need another crosswalk there. Pedestrian traffic is horrible. I have almost been hit several times walking in the crosswalks with walk lights. Anything to help protect our kids is a good idea.

Bill Roosma said congratulations to every one of you. I am happy to hear that Rocket Road is being widened. There is a canal that runs across down there and the bridge is narrow. It would be really nice to have the sidewalk bridged across the canal so we can safely walk across there without competing with cars. I know I am not the only one opposed to high-density housing. If anybody has taken a look at the townhomes they are building on Rocket Road and Tremont Street, you have two townhomes with a one-lane road between them and there is no room. I do not know that it is healthy for a massive amount of people to be housed in a compact area. We are just asking for trouble. People in the news raise all kinds of hell over a bunch of chickens grouped together inside a pen and how inhumane that is. I consider high-density housing inhumane. I think we need to have some distance. When you are planning developments you have to ask yourself, would I want to live in this environment? If it is not good enough for me, why is it good enough for somebody else? You all have a lot of power. You do not have to give permits if the developers do not want to comply with a certain distance.

9. Strategic Business (Ordinances & Policies) – None at this time

10. Reports and Calendar

a. City Manager Report

Mayor Rohde said we are not going to have department heads reporting here unless they ask to present. In their meetings they will present issues to Interim Manager Nessen, who will bring items to the Council. That should help streamline our process. I want to personally thank Interim Manager Nessen and the staff for being so wonderful during this transition. We will also do our Council Reports in the Work Session. I have asked each Councilmember to work with certain department heads and represent them in our discussions.

b. Upcoming Calendar Items: None.

Motion by Councilmember Jex to move into closed meeting. Motion seconded by Councilmember Oyler. Vote: Councilmember Bowcutt – yes, Councilmember Jex – yes, Councilmember Lewis – yes, Councilmember Oyler – yes, Councilmember Westergard – yes. Motion approved.

The Council moved into a closed meeting at 7:35 p.m.

11. CLOSED MEETING:

Motion by Councilmember Oyler to return to open meeting. Motion seconded by Councilmember Westergard. Vote: Councilmember Bowcutt – yes, Councilmember Jex – yes, Councilmember Lewis – yes, Councilmember Oyler – yes, Councilmember Westergard – yes. Motion approved.

The Council returned to open session at 7:49 p.m.

12. Adjournment.

Motion by Councilmember Lewis to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Councilmember Bowcutt. Vote: Councilmember Bowcutt – yes, Councilmember Jex – yes, Councilmember Lewis – yes, Councilmember Oyler – yes, Councilmember Westergard – yes. Motion approved.

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 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 for the City Council Meeting held on the above referenced date. Minutes were prepared by Jessica Tanner.

Dated this 20th day of January, 2026.

Cynthia Nelson, City Recorder

Archives