Talking Up Eagle Mountain

Learn what the Eagle Mountain City and Utah County are doing to get prepared for the Coronavirus and get some helpful tips for yourself and your family.

With almost half of Eagle Mountain City's population under the age of 18, schools and accessible routes to schools are a major area of focus in our rapidly growing community. Rex Brimhall, Director of Transportation for Alpine School District and Assistant City Administrator Paul Jerome join Mayor Westmoreland to discuss efforts to increase communication between the city and school district and planning for future growth. 

Resident involvement is a valuable component of a fast-growing community like Eagle Mountain City. Management Analyst Evan Berrett, Economic Development Director Aaron Sanborn, and Communication & Community Relations Director Linda Peterson join Mayor Westmoreland to discuss how research, along with data from surveys, the upcoming 2020 Census, and resident interaction on city communication channels is beneficial and guides the city's efforts to efficiently manage resources and add or improve amenities and services. 

Miss Eagle Mountain Scholarship Program director Jessica Bodily, Miss Eagle Mountain's Outstanding Teen Rachel Mortensen and her 2nd Attendant Ella Black join Mayor Westmoreland to discuss how the program differs from the stigma sometimes associated with pageants, how it empowers young women and provides service to the EM community and beyond. 

Streets Manager Zac Hilton and Neighborhood Improvement Officer Jim Barney join Mayor Westmoreland to discuss the City's processes for snow removal, enforcement of street parking and other factors in keeping streets safer for residents during snow periods. 

Eagle Mountain City offers a diverse selection of community events for residents and visitors. City Events Manager Dawn Hancock, Events Coordinator Suzie McCorristin, Council Member Jared Gray with Pony Express Events, and Kayla Young with Eagle Mountain Arts Alliance join Mayor Westmoreland to discuss upcoming events and how residents can participate, as well as volunteer opportunities. 

Assistant City Administrator Paul Jerome and his finance team - City Treasurer Josh Bairrington, Accountant Lori Jolley, and Accounts Payable Clerk Sandy Riet join Mayor Westmoreland to discuss how the City budget is organized and how taxes are structured for contributing to the budget, as well as their efforts to continually improve transparency in financial processes and reporting. 

"I would love a [insert business x,y, or z here] in Eagle Mountain!" Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Economic Development Director Aaron Sanborn, Planning Manager Mike Hadley, and Building Permit Technician Leesa Holland to discuss the process of businesses locating in Eagle Mountain, common misperceptions about what the City can and can't do, why delays sometimes occur, and more. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Youth Council advisors Chris and Finn Kofoed, Youth Mayor Brooke-Lynn Bytheway, Youth Council Members Cameron Hutton, Bryce Langford, and Kayson Welch, and City Council Member Melissa Clark to discuss Youth Council activities, the importance of educating youth about government, and their personal experiences with Youth Council. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Dave Oleyar and Jesse Watson of Hawkwatch International, as well as leader of the Eagle Mountain Kestrel Project Shon Reed to discuss raptor conservation in Eagle Mountain City, what birds of prey can be found here, their habits the benefit they provide to the community. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Parks Director Brad Hickman, Recreation Manager Jason Hall, and Administrative Assistant Corrie Fowles to discuss city parks amenities, procedures, future parks plans, and adult and youth recreation programs. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Planning Commission Chair Matt Everett, Council Member Donna Burnham, and Community Development Director Steve Mumford for a discussion regarding development processes, including the challenges of a rapidly growing city, and the role of the planning commission in considering development plans, code changes, and other matters. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Joye Roberts, chair of Eagle Mountain City's senior citizen council, Colby Curtis, city council liaison to the senior council, and Vanessa Monsen with Mortenson Construction to discuss the senior council's efforts to provide a variety of programs and services to seniors in the community, as well as charitable activities organized by the seniors that benefit others. One of those activities is a partnership with Mortenson Construction to provide Thanksgiving baskets to families in need. Monsen also details other volunteer and charitable events in the city that Mortenson Construction has participated in since starting work on the Facebook data center project. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Human Resources Manager Angela Valenzuela, Deputy Butters, and Crossing Guards Kimmie Thorup and Jessica Hansen to discuss the challenges of safely crossing children across our frequently changing roads. The group reviews the new challenges that come with expanded intersections. Kimmie Thorup and Jessica Hansen share the common issues they encounter, what parents should teach their children about crossings, and some advice to drivers to safely interact with them. Deputy Butters also shares insights about how we can stay safer around crosswalks and school buses and what the Sheriff's office is observing and responding to. Angela Valenzuela also gives us the bigger picture of crossing guards throughout the City, how crossing guards are trained, and how you can be a crossing guard.

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by City Administrator Ifo Pili and Assistant City Administrator Paul Jerome to discuss the desire for a recreation center in Eagle Mountain. Ifo Pili provides some history on the pursuit for a recreation center, the methods Eagle Mountain City has pursued, and what challenges have been encountered. Paul Jerome provides explanation specifically on the financial challenges of building and maintaining a recreation center. Also, Ifo Pili and Paul Jerome introduce next steps including having designs created to provide an idea of residents what building a recreation center of sufficient capacity would take and also some concepts for other recreation facilities that come at a lower cost but meet the same needs.

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Utility Billing Supervisor Maria Loza, Receptionist Pat Catherall, and Assistant City Administrator Paul Jerome to discuss some of the unique challenges and experiences faced by the Utility Billing and Reception staff. Maria Loza and Paul Jerome share some of the experiences they have had and lessons they have learned when helping residents, especially when times are tough. Pat Catherall shares with us the numerous resources that can be accessed by just visiting or calling the reception desk, especially for new residents. Paul Jerome also provides some brief background on the history and customer service goals of Utility billing in Eagle Mountain City. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Josh Daniels, Chief Deputy Clerk/Auditor for Utah County and City Recorder Finn Kofoed to discuss the upcoming Eagle Mountain City Municipal General Election, including the vote-by-mail process, important dates, voter registration and more. Their discussion is followed by brief interviews with the five city council candidates. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Library Director Michele Graves and Programming Librarian Mandy Paice to discuss the evolution of EM City's public library from a 12x12 room in the fire station with 523 patrons and 4,600 items to 15,000 patrons and 100,000 items currently. Beyond books, the staff gives an overview of the numerous services and programs the library provides for children and adults and details some future plans to expand access to the community. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Public Utilities Manager Mack Straw, Streets and Storm Drain Manager Zac Hilton, And Storm Drain Supervisor Larry Diamond. The group discusses how the City prepares for the colder temperatures and what you as a homeowner can do to help in the preparation. Mack Straw shares the common home water issues he sees and how you can prevent them. Zac Hilton shares strategies for safely navigating slick roads and supporting our snow plow drivers. Larry Diamond discusses the Bag the Leaf program and preventing hazardous materials from entering the city storm drain system. The group as a whole also discusses the best and fastest ways to get help when you need it. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Eagle Mountain City Councilmember Stephanie Gricius, Chief Eric McDowell from the Utah County Sheriffs Office, and Battalion Chief Ross Fowlks from Unified Fire Authority. The group discusses the growing demand on public safety as the city continues to rapidly grow. Chief McDowell and Battalion Chief Fowlks both share how each entity is responding to the growth and how the contractual relationship with Eagle Mountain City provides special resources, facility improvements, ideal recruitment arrangements, and more for our city. Councilmember Gricius also shares her experiences with budgeting for public safety and ride-alongs that gave first-hand experience of what our first responders go through.

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Communications Director Linda Peterson, City Recorder Fionnuala Kofoed, and Cemetery Board Chair Steve Conger. Additionally, previously recorded is a discussion with Eagle Mountain resident Nisha Murray who has a personal connection with the Pony Express Cemetery. The group discusses the circumstances in which the Pony Express Cemetery was founded, its special qualities, and the planned growth and additions. Nisha Murray also shares her experience of the loss of young child and how the Pony Express Cemetery has helped and will continue to help with keeping loved ones close. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Community Development Director Steve Mumford, Neighborhood Improvement Coordinator Jeanie West, and Neighborhood Improvement Officer Jim Barney. The group discusses the role of Neighborhood Improvement in Eagle Mountain City, how residents can get assistance with violations, disputes, or even just general questions. Jeanie and Jim also share common issues they see and discuss the importance of talking to your neighbors.

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Emergency Manager Jeff Weber, City Councilmember Melissa Clark, Be Ready Eagle Mountain Volunteer Anjanel Larsen, and Emergency Communication volunteer Dave Becar. The group discusses the improvements Eagle Mountain City is making to its emergency response capabilities including a major overhaul of its emergency response plan, the growth of community programs, and the increase of training opportunities for residents including CERT and HAM radio training. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Caryn Coltrin of Communities that Care and Utah County Sheriff's Office School Resource Officers Deputy Dutson, Deputy Butters, and Deputy Flores to discuss the health and safety of children and teenagers at school. Caryn introduces us to Communities that Care programs, the SHARP survey, and additional insights into school safety factors in Eagle Mountain. Deputies Dutson, Butters, and Flores of the Utah County Sheriff's office provide some insight into the role of SROs (School Resource Officers), what they observe at schools in Eagle Mountain, and the programs they are using to combat health and safety challenges. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by City Council-member Donna Burnham,  Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce Director Holly Harwood, and Economic Development Director Aaron Sanborn. The group discusses the status of economic development in Eagle Mountain City, the experience of Councilmember Burnham visiting a Tyson Foods facility, the growth of the Chamber of Commerce, and the future of Economic Development for Eagle Mountain City.

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by City Council-member Colby Curtis,  City Engineer Chris Trusty, and UDOT Region 3 Project Manager Jeremy Bown. The group discusses some of the financial and technical challenges and accomplishments of recent large roads projects, the status of current projects, and what the future holds for roads like Pony Express Pkwy. and SR-73. 

Mayor Westmoreland is joined by Community Development Director Steve Mumford,  Shane Hill of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and Shon Reed a resident raptor conservationist and head of the Kestrel Project. The group discusses Open Space planning in Eagle Mountain, the partnerships that have formed, and striking a balance between preserving open space and the growth of Eagle Mountain City.