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ESCALANTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 4, 2026
REGULAR MEETING/ELECTRONIC MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
ESCALANTE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 65 NORTH CENTER STREET
Mayor Pro Tempore Chad Lyman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Escalante City
Council Chambers.
Present at said meeting were Mayor Pro Tempore Lyman, Council members Sally Orme,
Tara Woolsey, Marlene Stowe, City Attorney Barry Huntington and City Recorder Stephanie
Steed. Mayor Melani Torgersen and Council member Ryan Cottam were excused.
Also present were Jennifer Thomas, Mike Porter, Riggin Porter, Charmayne Porter,
Bob Hartman, Julie Brugger and Chad Cottam.
Derek Houston-Brown joined electronically.
Mayor Pro Tempore Lyman led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Council member Woolsey moved to adopt the agenda as written. Council member Orme
seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Stowe, Woolsey and Orme
voting aye.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 21, 2026 MEETING
Council member Orme moved to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2026 meeting as
written. Council member Woolsey seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council
members Woolsey, Orme and Stowe voting aye.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments at this time.
PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
PLANNING AND ZONING UPDATES
LLOYD MCCARTHY, DEWBERRY ENGINEERS - ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
STATION - 480 W MAIN (C/R)
Council member Woolsey explained this project. Council member Woolsey said this project
meets all requirements and Planning and Zoning has recommended it for approval.
Council member Stowe moved to approve the Electric Vehicle Charging Station.
Council member Orme seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members
Woolsey, Stowe and Orme voting aye.
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SCHEDULED ITEMS
RIGGIN AND CHARMAYNE PORTER - SPONSORSHIP FOR THE COLOR
COUNTRY RODEO CLUB
Charmayne Porter said they are here representing the Color Country Rodeo Club and asking for
a donation from the City. Ms. Porter explained the sponsorship levels ranging from $50.00 to
$100.00. Mayor Pro Tempore said last year the City donated $100.00 per Escalante Student.
Council member Woolsey moved to donate $200.00 to the Color Country Rodeo Club.
Council member Stowe seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Stowe,
Orme and Woolsey voting aye.
LANDFILL FENCE PROJECT
Council member Orme explained the landfill fence project, emphasizing the need to move
forward with requirements and obtain pricing for materials. Council member Orme moved to
get pricing for a three strand barbed wire fence. Council member Woolsey seconded the
motion. Motion carried with Council member Orme, Stowe and Woolsey voting aye.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
ADMINISTRATIVE
City Recorder Steed said the budget and financial reports are available for review.
City Recorder Steed said the Garfield County Hospital fundraiser dinner is on August 13 and
asked the Council to let her know if they would like to attend.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Chad Cottam reported that water remains a primary focus. Mr. Cottam explained that water
issues have been stabilized, with the system now providing about 150 gallons per minute since
Nate Langston from Rural Water helped address problems with the chlorinator and will return to
assist in rebuilding a couple of valves.
Mr. Cottam said due to the recent hot weather, water usage has increased, but the well is
currently keeping up with the demand.
Mr. Cottam explained the ongoing SCADA system setup delays, which are waiting for approval
to proceed with the cellular device implementation using Starlink. Mr. Cottam explained some
training sessions had to be rescheduled due to recent water problems, and they are working to
clean up unnecessary SCADA alerts.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Fire Department was not present at said meeting.
COUNCIL REPORTS
MAYOR MELANI TORGERSEN
Mayor Torgersen was not present at said meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER CHAD LYMAN
Council member Lyman said an engineer from ensign is scheduled to visit in two weeks to
inspect the water meter area and assist in finding funding for master meters. Council member
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Lyman said he may put the engineer on a future agenda to deliver a report to the council.
COUNCIL MEMBER TARA WOOLSEY
Council member Woolsey had nothing to report at this time.
COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN COTTAM
Council member Cottam was not present at said meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBER MARLENE STOWE
Council member Stowe had nothing to report at this time.
COUNCIL MEMBER SALLY ORME
Council member Orme had nothing to report at this time.
UNPAID BILLS
Council member Stowe moved to pay the unpaid bills. Council member Woolsey seconded
the motion. Motion carried with Council members Stowe, Orme and Woolsey voting aye.
CLOSED MEETING
There was no closed meeting at this time.
Mayor Pro Tempore adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
/s/ Stephanie Steed
Stephanie Steed, MMC, UCC
City Recorder
Date minutes approved: 08/18/2026
