Commemorating the Birth of our Nation and State

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; … And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” —Declaration of Independence by the thirteen united States of America, July 4, 1776

Highland City Council Preview: June 15, 2021 – 2021/22 Budget, Designation of Disposable Properties

Are you a Footloose fan? Then you’ll enjoy this 2-Minute Tuesday review of our June 1st, 2021 meeting. I didn’t know Kurt and Tim were such skilled dancers :)

This council meeting includes the following agenda items:

• Recognition of Scott Sumner (outgoing LPHS principal), Rhonda Bromley (former LPHS principal), and Larry Mendenhall (former member of the Planning Commission and City Council).
• Adoption of the 2021-22 Budget.
• Designation of disposable properties.

Highland City Council Preview: 1-Jun-2021

Below is the most recent “2-Minute Tuesday” video from Utah’s Highlander summarizing the May 18th council meeting. It features scenes from the Lord of the Rings and Guardians of the Galaxy. This one got a good chuckle out of me.

This council meeting includes the following agenda items:

• A pressurized irrigation water update from staff.
• A legislative update from our state representative Brady Brammer.
• Approval of the final road maintenance contracts for this year.
• Formalization of the rules and processes relative to disposing of orphan property. Note, the specific parcels to be disposed of this year will be discussed and approved at a future council meeting.

Highland City Council Preview: 18-May-2021

Below is the most recent “2-Minute Tuesday” video from Utah’s Highlander summarizing the May 4th council meeting. Fans of the movie Caddyshack will especially appreciate this edition.

There are several interesting agenda items including:

• A proposed increase to the culinary water fee.
• Proposed changes to the city fence code.
• A resolution to start the process for putting a RAP tax on the ballot this fall.
• Approval of this year’s road rehabilitation contract

Highland East-West Connector History

This post was originally developed to support a May 26, 2016 with Representative Kennedy and Senator Dayton, where the East-West Connector road was be discussed. As the road was opened on May 15th I’ve updated the document to reflect the important milestones since 2016 that led to the completion of the project. 

For over 40 years an East-West Corridor road has been a part of Highland’s Master Plan. The 1980 Master Street Plan below shows two alternate routes (highlighted in yellow).

Civility in Politics

I wrote the following regarding civility in politics nearly eleven years ago (July 19, 2010). It is probably more relevant today than it was then. The lessons I learned apply not only to elections but also to the day in day out battles over issues. Civility does not mean compromising on principles but does mean listening, being willing to see things from another’s point of view, looking for common ground, and often taking the high road when opponents don’t.

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It has been about a month since the primary election, and I feel settled enough to have a good mental review of my experience. Even though the candidate I worked to support lost I would do it all again. Of course, there are things I would do differently. It would be sad if this were not the case because that would mean I learned nothing. Let me share with you some of the positives.

Highland City Council Preview: 4-May-2021

Here's the most recent two-minute Tuesday video from our council meeting on 4/20. For those of us who are not “hip” 420 is a noun which is used to refer to marijuana or to the act of smoking marijuana (eg. "a 420-friendly hotel").

For Tuesday’s meeting there are several interesting agenda items including:

• Tentative budget approvals for the city and Lone Peak Public Safety District. The final budget is generally on the agenda on the first meeting in June.
• A preliminary plat for Sunrise Farms - 13.57 acres located on the north side of the “long horn” property which is across the street from the city cemetery.
• A change in nuisance ordinances relative to noise. The change will make our code more consistent and more enforceable.

Highland City Council Preview: 20-Apr-2020

For tonight’s meeting there are a number of interesting agenda items including:

• 2021 Highland City Survey results
• Review of open space and orphan property disposal parcels
• RAP Tax discussion
• Park maintenance building status update

Highland City Council Agenda Preview for 30-Mar-2021

Here’s a link to the video overview of our previous council meeting by Utah’s Highlander. For tonight’s meeting there are a number of interesting agenda items including:

• Millhaven Development Agreement
• Mountain Ridge Park
• Equestrian Center Park cost estimates
• 2021-22 Budget Initial Presentation

2020 Highland City Newsletter Mayor’s Messages

Below are my city newsletter messages from 2020. Let me know if there are items you’d like me to cover in 2021 or if you have any suggestions for other content in our monthly newsletter. You can find city newsletters on our website by clicking here.

2020 Highland Living Magazine Mayor’s Messages

The following are my messages in the Highland Living magazine for 2020. This magazine is delivered free to all single family residences in Highland and is published by Best Version Media. These messages tend to be less newsy than my messages in the newsletter.

January 2020 Highland Living Magazine

“What are the sources, then, of that state of mind which supports civilization? There are but two sources, education and religion. From them are derived the teachings of science necessary to give the requisite technical skill and moral ideals sufficient to support and advance civilization.”—Governor Calvin Coolidge, Amherst College Alumni Dinner, New York City, November 27, 1920

Governor Coolidge, who later served as President of the United States (1923-1929), also commented in his speech at the Amherst College Alumni Dinner, “What virtue would there be in choosing the good unless thereby the evil was rejected? There are evil forces at work now. … They can always be recognized by a direct appeal to selfishness and nothing else.”

Highland City Council Agenda Preview for 16-Mar-2021

Once again Utah’s Highlander put together an excellent summary of our previous meeting.The title of the video is “Pooh Minute Tuesday.” It is worth watching. If you missed last weeks “Meet with the Mayor” you can watch below. I review the results of the January Community Center feasibility survey and begin responding to comments in completed city surveys. The video lasts over an hour. The Utah’s Highlander video is definitely more enjoyable and only lasts a few minutes.

2020 and Beyond – One Mann’s Perspective

“Happiness is the greatest paradox in nature. It can grow in any soil, live under any conditions.”—William George Jordan, The Majesty of Calmness, 1900

Highland City Council Agenda Preview for 2-Mar-2021

Once again Utah’s Highlander put together an excellent summary of our previous meeting where the council made a couple of important decisions.

Below are three of the more interesting and/or important items on the agenda: 

Highland City Council Agenda Preview for Feb 16, 2021

Utah’s Highlander again put together an excellent video summary of our previous council meeting. The Groundhog Day theme was brilliant. Earlier this week former youth city council member Halla Walch joined me for my monthly Meet with the Mayor broadcast. We discussed what she learned while on youth council and reviewed view city issues including some brand new information I had received about the county using the Equestrian Center park, located just off of 6800 W, as an immunization center starting March 1st.

Here are key items on the agenda: 

• Agenda item 3 - Highland resident and American Fork High School senior Ryan Bazzelle will receive a mayor’s award. He has delivered flowers to every girl in his school each Valentine’s Day since the 8th grade. Click here to read about how he got started.

Highland City Council Agenda Preview for Feb 2, 2021

We have a full agenda for the upcoming council meeting. Key agenda items include:

Highland City Council Agenda Preview for Jan 19, 2021

Highland resident Scott Hart returns as Highlander of Utah Lake in his 2-Minute Tuesday that covers the Jan 5th council meeting. His council meeting reviews  are enlightening and entertaining. Subscribe to the Utah’s Highlander YouTube channel to be notified when they are released.

The agenda for our second meeting of the year is pretty light. Unlike our first meeting which ended after midnight this one should finish before 10 PM. Here are the major items that will be covered: 

Highland City 2020 Survey Summary and Responses to Comments

Last year I offered a smoothie to the person who could find the comment that made me laugh out loud. This year it will go to the person that provides the longest list of positive adjectives found in comments (email me at mayor@highlandcity.org). These surveys do impact council decisions. Thanks to  those who participated last year. I encourage everyone to participate in the next one which we plan to distribute it in March.

Highland City Council Agenda Preview for Jan 5, 2021

This 2021 meme caught my eye. I hope the terms and conditions include: (1) city staff and council continue to work well together, (2) Highland residents continue to be involved and respectful of each other and (3) that we take advantage of what we learned in 2020 to improve our lives. Feel free to share your thoughts on what you would like to see the city focus on in 2021.

The agenda for the first city council meeting of the year is pretty packed. Key items on the agenda include:

Should Utah County Continue to Emulate Salt Lake County with Respect to Support Staff?

Following the election this year I continued to research county governments because I had some outstanding questions. I found only two counties in Utah (Salt Lake and Utah) where County Commissioners or County Council members have their own personal assistants. Both counties use the same title for these employees – senior policy advisor.