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ESCALANTE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 21, 2026
REGULAR MEETING/ELECTRONIC MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
WORK MEETING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE REGULAR MEETING
ESCALANTE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS - 65 NORTH CENTER STREET
Mayor Melani Torgersen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Escalante City Council
Chambers.
Present at said meeting were Mayor Torgersen, Council members Sally Orme, Tara Woolsey,
Marlene Stowe, Chad Lyman, Ryan Cottam, City Attorney Barry Huntington and City Recorder
Stephanie Steed.
Also present were Mindy Huntington, Bill Weppner, Margie Weppner, Gene Quilter,
Brent Pickering and Jennifer Thomas.
Bruce Martin joined electronically.
Mayor Torgersen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Council member Stowe moved to adopt the agenda as written. Council member Woolsey
seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Stowe, Lyman, Woolsey, Orme
and Cottam voting aye.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JULY 7, 2026 MEETING
Council member Orme moved to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2026 meeting as
written. Council member Lyman seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council
members Woolsey, Orme, Lyman, Stowe and Cottam voting aye.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments at this time.
PLANNING AND ZONING ITEMS
PLANNING AND ZONING UPDATES
City Recorder Steed reported on the Planning and Zoning work meeting last week where they
discussed the roads and short-term rental density definitions.
SCHEDULED ITEMS
LYNN YUNGHANS - SNOWBALL FIGHT EVENT AUGUST 8, 2026
Council member Lyman moved to table this item. Council member Cottam seconded the
motion. Motion carried with Council members Lyman, Stowe, Cottam, Orme and Woolsey
voting aye.
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REVOKE RED ROCK RANCH BUSINESS LICENSE - 450 E 300 S
City Attorney Huntington stated that this business has been charged with operating without a
business license. City Attorney Huntington said due to this violation, he recommended revoking
their conditional use permit and ordering them to cease advertising. Bruce Martin asked if the
council wanted him to shut down operations, and City Attorney Huntington confirmed that he
must, as he does not hold a license. Mr. Martin explained that he had paid the county and was
informed the funds would be forwarded to the city. City Attorney Huntington instructed Mr.
Martin to remove the business from the website or face additional charges. Mr. Martin expressed
that he has operated his business for 15 years, has been a community member for 25 years, pays
his taxes, and provides a positive impact, making a shutdown feel unduly harsh over a $45.00
fee. Mr. Martin added that they have not been uncooperative and that he will do whatever is
necessary if forced to close. Mayor Torgersen clarified that these mandates come from State
Laws and the City Ordinances, not from City Recorder Steed. Mayor Torgersen noted that while
it involves substantial paperwork it is his responsibility to ensure compliance. City Attorney
Huntington said he has been quite lenient by not issuing additional charges, despite the business
continuing to advertise without an active license. Mayor Torgersen added that the conditional use
permit has expired and the business must meet the new requirements to achieve full compliance.
This item was discussed at length. Council member Woolsey moved to revoke the Red Rock
Ranch business license and conditional use permit. Council member Stowe seconded the
motion. Motion carried with Council members Orme, Stowe, Cottam, Woolsey and
Lyman voting aye.
BRADLEY SPENCER - UNPAID BILL
Mayor Torgersen explained Mr. Spencer had requested to withdraw this item, but it remained on
the agenda as it had already been posted. Mayor Torgersen explained that Mr. Spencer submitted
a bill to the City for drainage cleanup and requested a council review. Mayor Torgersen said she
would like to respond by sending Mr. Spencer a letter. Council member Lyman moved to send
a letter informing Mr. Spencer that the city will not pay the bill. Council member Cottam
seconded the motion. Motion carried with Council members Woolsey, Lyman, Cottam,
Stowe and Orme voting aye.
BRADLEY SPENCER - DRAINAGE FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY TO CITY
PROPERTY 800 W TO 500 S, 800 W TO 450 S AND 745 W TO 500 S
Mayor Torgersen said Mr. Spencer requested this item be removed from the agenda. Council
member Lyman said it looks like Mr. Spencer wishes to redirect water from private property onto
city property, and suggests that Council member Cottam look into the matter. Council member
Lyman moved to deny Mr. Spencer’s request. Council member Woolsey seconded the
motion. Motion carried with Council members Cottam, Stowe, Lyman, Orme and Woolsey
voting aye.
LIONS CLUB - MOQUI MOTOR MADNESS CARSHOW SPONSORSHIP AND
DONATION
Gene Quilter expressed appreciation for the parade float donation. Mr. Quilter said the Lions
Club is asking for a donation for the car show. Mr. Quilter explained the donation will go
towards advertising, brochures and miscellaneous radio promotions for the event on August 15,
2026. Council member Stowe moved to donate $700.00 to the Lions Club for the Moqui
Motor Madness Carshow. Council member Lyman seconded the motion. Motion carried
with Council members Stowe, Lyman, Woolsey, Orme and Cottam voting aye.
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DEPARTMENT REPORTS
ADMINISTRATIVE
City Recorder Steed said the budget and financial reports are available for review. City Recorder
Steed said the annual audit is scheduled for September 2, 2026.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Brent Pickering reported that the water flow from the mountain has decreased and requested that
residents conserve water by refraining from outdoor watering between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
BILL WEPPNER
Mr. Weppner said since the last meeting, they responded to a single call-out, which was
determined to be a faulty carbon monoxide detector at one of the RV parks.
Mr. Weppner explained the plumbing parts were acquired and installed at the school well,
providing them with a water source to fill a fire engine directly from the track area. Mr. Weppner
said he truly appreciates Council member Cottam for all his help and especially for coming out
to assist them in installing the parts.
Mr. Weppner said Chief Don Porter was recently informed that the United States Fire
Administration will reimburse the city for suppressing the Posey Lake Fire from two years ago.
Mr. Weppner said the payment, totaling just under $1,100.00 will arrive after a two-year delay.
Mr. Weppner said they are requesting these funds be allocated directly back into the fire
department's budget.
COUNCIL REPORTS
MAYOR MELANI TORGERSEN
Mayor Torgersen said the 24th of July celebration is this weekend, adding that the event is
always enjoyable and attracts a large crowd.
COUNCIL MEMBER CHAD LYMAN
Council member Lyman had nothing to report at this time.
COUNCIL MEMBER TARA WOOLSEY
Council member Woolsey explained routine maintenance was completed last Thursday at the
Airport, which included the replacement of two antennas.
COUNCIL MEMBER RYAN COTTAM
Council Member Cottam inquired about fireworks for the upcoming weekend. Mr. Weppner
clarified that none would be held, explaining that the conditions were too hot and dry to take any
risks.
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.
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UNPAID BILLS
Council member Cottam moved to pay the unpaid bills. Council member Orme seconded
the motion. Motion carried with Council members Stowe, Orme, Lyman, Woolsey and
Cottam voting aye.
CLOSED MEETING
There was no closed meeting at this time.
Mayor Torgersen adjourned the meeting at 6:27 p.m.
Mayor Torgersen called the work meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. in the Escalante City Council
Chambers.
Present at said work meeting were Mayor Torgersen, Council members Stowe, Woolsey, Orme,
Cottam, Lyman and City Recorder Steed. City Attorney Huntington was excused.
There was no one else present.
The work meeting was to review Ordinances, Policies and the fee schedule.
The work meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
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/s/ Stephanie Steed
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Stephanie Steed, MMC, UCC
City Recorder
Date minutes approved: 08/05/2026
