TREMONTON CITY CORPORATION
TOWN HALL MEETING
APRIL 25, 2024
Members Present:
Wes Estep, Councilmember
Jeff Hoedt, Councilmember—excused
Bret Rohde, Councilmember
Lyle Vance, Councilmember
Blair Westergard, Councilmember
Lyle Holmgren, Mayor
Marc Christensen, City Manager
Jeff Seedall, City Planner
Zach LeFevre, Parks and Recreation Director
Linsey Nessen, City Recorder
Mayor Holmgren called the April 25, 2024 Town Hall Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was held at the Bear River Valley Senior Center, located at 510 West 1000 North Tremonton, Utah. Those in attendance were Mayor Holmgren, Councilmembers Estep, Rohde, Vance, and Westergard, City Manager Christensen, City Planner Seedall, Parks and Recreation Director LeFevre, and City Recorder Nessen. Councilmember Hoedt was excused.
1. Welcome and Introductions – Lyle Holmgren, Mayor
Mayor Holmgren quoted Imitation Game, a movie based on World War II. We can only see a short distance into the future, but because we can only see a short distance, we can see there is plenty to be done. That is where we need to focus our energies here. Tonight is a special opportunity for us to lay out a plan. There will be other town hall meetings. This is just the kickoff.
Manager Christensen then played a video showing the city of Vernal and their approach to resolving some of the issues they had.
Mayor Holmgren said Vernal has been working on this for a few years and has been able to obtain quite a few grants. This is our town and our opportunity to do something about Main Street and revitalizing the downtown area.
2. Discussion of Main Street/Midland Square prioritization led by Councilmembers Bret Rohde and Lyle Vance
Councilmember Rohde said tonight we are going to focus on four areas—vacancies and underutilization on Main Street, amenities and vibrancy, buildings and facades, and parking and visibility. Back in 2018, a survey was done about downtown and these were four areas they identified. What could go into each of these areas? We would like to prioritize and figure out what to do first. We do have money available.
They reviewed a map of the downtown area and explained how that is being funded through the Redevelopment Agency (RDA). This money has been set aside to revitalize Main Street and downtown.
Councilmember Rohde said a citizen group also identified five areas of improvement to downtown during an open house. This included building and facade revitalization, parking access and visibility, amenities, vacancies and underutilized properties, and vibrancy. Tonight, we want ideas for these areas.
Those in attendance brought up ideas of their own. Discussion included issues with parking and adding or improving striping. Bringing buildings up to code and enhancing their curb appeal. This would include signs and logos. This could be done through tax incentives or façade grants. There also needs to be affordability. Some would like to add more murals to buildings and provide promotion of those through billboards or signage. They could better utilize the Veterans’ Memorial at Midland Square by drawing people into town. That could be a tour like the mural tour, as could a history tour of Tremonton. Additional things could be added along Main Street to gain more knowledge, along with more events and activities that would bring traffic downtown and build the community. There also needs to be passive leisure or attractions that keep people in the area. They also suggested removing the trees or adding others, along with benches. One citizen suggested a trolley system for transportation. There needs to be more street and parking repairs and maintenance. There was more talk of cleaning up the street and attracting more businesses into the area, including restaurants. They could also better promote the Golden Spike and a new monument that is going to be constructed at the cemetery about the Borgstrom brothers. Each could be another draw to Tremonton.
Councilmember Rohde said we still have a lot to discuss. May I suggest we take these ideas and discuss them with friends and family in the community. We will meet back next month for another Town Hall. We will then start to prioritize. We have some cool things coming to town, but I would like to see us move forward with these ideas and work together. We are going to work very hard on communicating with the community and getting them involved. We appreciate your comments.
3. Adjournment by consensus of the Board.
The meeting adjourned at 7:02 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 21 day of May, 2024.
Linsey Nessen, City Recorder