About Cedar Hills

The word has certainly spread about what a great place Cedar Hills is to live! Our city has experienced phenomenal growth over the last decade.

A mayor and five council members are elected at-large for four-year, staggered terms. Cedar Hills has had ten mayors since its incorporation in 1977.

Historical Highlights

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2002-2005 | 1997-2001 | 1992-1996 | 1987-1991 | 1982-1986 | 1977-1981

2009

• $10M 2009/2010 fiscal-year budget adopted.
• City Council lowered property taxes for third consecutive year.
• Resident Chris McCullock recognized by City Council as hero for saving life of neighbor.
• Routine cleaning conducted by TSSD (Timpanogos Special Service District) to ensure proper maintenance of the City’s sewer lines.
• Walmart Supercenter ribbon cutting and grand opening held March 18.
• City receives Distinguished Presentation Budget Award from Government Finance Officers Association for seventh consecutive year.
• Youth City Council completes service projects, including fifth annual Easter Egg Hunt and food and toy drives.
• Council adopts April 24 as Arbor Day.
• As part of a neighborhood beautification project, City provides hundreds of shade, flowering, and pine trees for residents at minimal cost.
• Annual Family Festival held June 20-29 with 5K and mile races, Firecracker Golf Tournament, dinner and movie in the park, carnival, and fireworks.
• Kim Holindrake, City Recorder, designated Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) from International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
• Council adopts Special Events ordinance to govern special events within the City.
• Council declares September 6-13 Childhood Cancer Awareness Week.
• Cottonwood Culinary Well Project completed, providing City with more than a fully redundant water source.
• Municipal primary and general elections held.
• Chase bank opens Cedar Hills/Lone Peak branch November 17.
• Official proclamation declares November 23 as Feed America Day.
• McDonald’s (restaurant) concept and preliminary plans approved
• Year-end estimated population: 9,808

2008

• $12M 2008/2009 Fiscal-Year budget adopted
• Youth City Council completes many service projects, including 4th annual Easter Egg Hunt with over 1,200 participants, and food and toy drives
• City declares May 1 as Silver Star Day, honoring armed forces men and women
• Parks and Trails Committee hosts National Trails Day and creates Adopt-a Trail program
• 11th annual Family Festival held
• Creation of 22 paper lots to help write down City’s bonded indebtedness
• Cedar Hills Golf Club hits break-even mark on operations
• New redundant well installed to pump 1500-1800 gallons of culinary water per minute
• New home construction rate drops from 280 homes built in 2005 to seven in 2008
• Over 260 home-based business licenses issued
• City constructs Mesquite Soccer Park, bringing total City parks to seven
• Upgrades installed at Heritage Park, including new picnic tables, playground equipment, and security lighting
• Cedar Hills along with American Fork and Highland, acquired debris basin at the mouth of AF Canyon, giving all three cities the ability to control storm waters and run off to reduce flooding
• Interlocal Library Cooperative formed with North Utah County libraries. City continues to reimburse residents for non-resident library card fees
• City participates in County-wide dispatch system. Mayor McGee appointed to represent Cedar Hills
• Boundary adjustment with Pleasant Grove brings 14 new residences into Cedar Hills
• City becomes an official “Tree City USA” member and creates a City Tree Board to advise the City Council
• CARE tax adopted to bring additional arts and recreation funds to City
• Fiscal year audit brings no State compliance findings—excellent for any city
• Commercial zone anchored by Wal-Mart set to open March 2009
• Year-end estimated population: 9,777

2007

• City saves $$ and increases service with in-house management of golf course
• Wal-Mart’s plans approved—ground breaking Spring 2008, grand opening Spring 2009
• New Public Works facility opens to provide multiple new services
• Frisbee course installed at Heritage Park by Eagle Scout
• Gary Maxwell and Joel Wright serve as appointed members of the City Council
• City-wide Easter Egg Hunt held—highest attendance ever
• City updates capital facility plans and impact fees
• Cedar Hills and Pleasant Grove continue boundary discussions
• Water rate structure modified to ensure long-term water needs are met
• Golf course works closely with neighboring residents to save cedar tree grove
• City Council’s pay rate increases—remains lowest paid in county
• Another Family Festival success!
• City bids fond farewell to long-time planner Rodney Despain
• City approves dynamic steps to improve golf course operations and decrease overall golf course debt
• 25% boost in attendance at golf course brings in the “green”
• City Council passes family-friendly commercial resolutions
• City opts to maintain current tax rate
• Timpanogos Cove Park ribbon cutting and dedication
• City clarifies its annexation policies
• Deputy Recorder Gretchen Gordon honored as a Certified Municipal Clerk
• City creates Traffic Safety and Livability Committee
• City becomes first Blue Sky Community in Utah County
• Amsource makes plans for further commercial development in Cedar Hills
• Youth City Council sponsors first Pumpkin Walk
• Jim Perry re-elected and Ken Kirk and Marisa Wright elected to City Council
• City celebrates 30-year anniversary of its incorporation. In 1977 there were 31 households—in 2007 there are 2,188
• City creates Cedar Hills Community Development and Renewal Agency to manage reconfiguration of golf course
• City constructs second culinary well
• City curbs vehicle access to east bench
• City receives “A” rating in bond market
• Year-end estimated population 9,657

2006

• Standard & Poors gives the City an “A” credit rating prior to golf course refinancing.
• Joel Wright and Gary Maxwell are appointed to fill vacancies on City Council.
• Curbside recycling program implemented.
• Two new snow plows are purchased to eliminate the need to contract for plowing services.
• Two new pressurized irrigation wells go on-line in April 2006.
• $15 million 2006-2007 fiscal year budget adopted.
• Full-time community services director is hired and implements City-sponsored events: Jr. Jazz, Flag Football, Easter Egg Hunt, Extreme Scarecrow Makeover, and Ski Bus.
• Construction and bonding for a public works facility.
• 10th annual Family Festival held in 2006, capped by the best fireworks ever!
• Recreation task force created to review needs for multi-city recreational facility.
• Wal-Mart proposal announced.
• 2006 year-end population estimated at 9,257.

2002 - 2005

• Pressurized irrigation contract awarded to Xcavate in the amount of $222,652.96.
• Bid awarded to Sterling Codifiers.
• Preliminary study funds appropriated for participation in UTOPIA.
• Lease of golf course reviewed.
• Sunset Park bid awarded to Premier Excavation.
• Water conservation ordinance adopted.
• Grant approved for matching funds to construct a portion of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
• Cedar Hills awarded the Distinguished Budget Award from the GFOA.
• Harvey Boulevard West bid granted to Premier Excavation in the amount of $56,647.
• Final approval granted to the Lexington Heights Office Park/Assisted Living Center, the City's first commercial buildings.
• Citizen initiative petitions placed on the ballot.
• Traffic calming improvements along 4600 West approved in the amount of $60,631.
• Contract awarded to Jay Diggs to construct the pressurized irrigation project in the amount of $1,260,254.
• Public hearing set for Wal-Mart proposal.
• Youth City Council formed.
• Cedar Hills appropriates funds to participate in the North Utah County Choir.
• Utility fee waiver for active military personnel approved.
• Allocation of funds and matching grant approved to construct portions of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
• Funds allocated to participate in Alpine City Family Focus Days.
• Premises occupations approved.
• Purchase of five acres of park land in Canyon Heights.
• City continues participation as a non-pledging city in UTOPIA.
• Issuance authorized for $6 million water revenue bond.
• Proposal for secondary water feasibility study accepted from Gilson Engineering.
• Utah Power requests conditional use to install electrical substation.
• Initiative petition regarding bonding put on ballot for public vote.
• Initiatives regarding 2002 tax rate and certified tax rate put on the General Election Ballot. Later, 2002 Tax Rate Initiative removed from consideration.
• Golf course clubhouse site work started by Layton Construction.
• Design and construction of Forest Creek Trail begins.
• Jay Diggs Co. begins construction of Pressurized Irrigation Project 2003.
• Development of new City Web site funded.
• Harvey Boulevard East construciton approved.
• Site plan for LDS stake center at 4600 West/Cedar Hills Drive granted.
• City Recorder Kim Holindrake receives Certified Municipal Clerk designation.
• City Council drops community services. Sports and youth programs must be privately funded.

1997 - 2001

• Transportation and Non-Motorized Trails elements approved in the General Plan.
• Commercial Development Standards and Resolution approved.
• Letter of intent drafted to acquire property at the corner of Cedar Hills Drive and Canyon Road for a Public Safety Building.
• Heritage Park improvements completed.
• Public Safety Master Plan started.
• Police report stated 213 calls from Cedar Hills in 1998.
• Parks/Trails Advisory Committee bylaws and charter adopted.
• Cedar Hills unanimously approved to become part of the Public Safety District with Alpine and Highland.
• Full-time building inspector position hired.
• Contract with American Fork police authorized.
• Land Exchange Agreement signed for Public Safety Building property.
• Additional council seat filled due to Cedar Hills becoming a third-class city.
• Public Safety Building construction begins.
• School marquee approved at Cedar Ridge Elementary School.
• Hubble Design Group accepted to complete the Commercial District Master Plan.
• Cedar Hills library committee established.
• Lone Peak Public Safety District makes application for paramedic-level service.
• American Fork City extended invitations to Cedar Hills, Highland and Alpine to participate in a library district.
• Resolution approved creating a citizen advisory technology committee.
• Lease/financing approved for the Harvey Well and sewer improvements.
• Review of THK, Inc. feasibility study relative to the golf course.
• West Cedar Hills Drive improvement project approved in the amount of $545,931 ($372,000 Class “C” road funds and $89,000 of street impact fee).
• Hiring approved for paramedics for Lone Peak Public Safety District.
• Authorization given to move forward relative to the MBA golf course bond election.
• Funds to pay for 1/3 cost of the traffic light at 4800 West and Cedar Hills Drive approved.
• Hiring of City engineer approved.
• Special Golf Course Lease Revenue Bond Election results reviewed. 56% in favor of proceeding with the City owning the golf course.
• Ordinance adopted establishing campaign financial disclosure requirements for candidates.
• New England style approved for the LDS church located at 4600 West Cedar Hills Drive.
• Participation offered to Cedar Hills in the Miss Timpanogos Pageant, to include Alpine, Highland, and Cedar Hills.
• Resolution adopted to participate in UTOPIA (fiber-optic system) preliminary study.
• Completion of Cedar Hills Golf Club, a 6,700 yard, 18-hole, par 72 golf course situated at the mouth of American Fork Canyon.
• Pressurized irrigation implemented, bringing City's storage of water from 1.5 million gallons to over 13 million gallons.
• Clafin Associates approved to complete design and construction documents for Sunset Park and Forest Creek Park, Phase 1.
• Hayes annexation agreement approved.
• Funds approved to pay for 1/3 of the cost of the traffic light at 4800 West/Cedar Hills Drive.
• Special Golf Course Lease Revenue Bond election held. 56% voted in favor of proceeding with the City owning the course.
• Public Safety Building park name approved as Heiselt's Hollow Park.
• Sear-Brown approved as traffic-calming consultant for 4600 West neighborhood.
• Library card reimbursement approved.
  

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1992 - 1996

• Manila Water issues - Town intends to stay with 300 connections but maintain the philosophy to have their own system at some point.
• Trash recycling reviewed.
• Town to be annexed into district for UTA.
• 20% of law enforcement calls are dog related.
• Youth Council sworn in.
• 76-lot subdivision proposed.
• Park to be completed by June 1994.
• Moratorium lifted on water with work proceeding on new tank.
• Park completion eminent with Mayor heading the volunteers and mowing the grass.
• Planning Commission begins work on Street Plan.
• Concern of having an east-west corridor in the town.
• First full-time employee hired.
• Timpanogos Special Service District (sewer treatment) considers conditions for Cedar Hills becoming a member.
• Support in creating Parks/Trails Master Plan.
• Alpine School District requests Lone Peak High School water and sewer connection, which was to go out to bid in January 1996.
• Agreement signed to join with Alpine and Highland in establishing Mountain Ridge Community Library.
• Magnolia tree planted in the park in memory of the Oklahoma City bombing victims.
• Discussion about implementing impact fees.
• Joint meeting with Pleasant Grove City Council regarding common boundary.
• Development of the Bonneville Trail.
• Discussion of construction of an additional one-million gallon water tank.
• Cedar Hills General Plan and zoning ordinances approved.
• Discussion of construction of an elementary school on Cedar Hills Drive.
• Office trailer suggested.
• Water tank nearly completed.
• Town is accepted as member of Timpanogos Special Service District.
• Consider change in Town logo.

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1987 - 1991

• Resident expresses dissatisfaction with the Town meetings as being uninteresting, tedious, and generally not inviting to the citizenry.
• Installation of clustered mailboxes completed.
• North Meadows annexation approved.
• Resident suggested that Town needs to have newsletter, flyers, publicity, welcome wagon, and Town hall.
• Presentation of $1,000 check given to Pleasant Grove Library. Mayor expressed pleasure in the reception and felt this to be a turning point in the Town's relationship with Pleasant Grove.
• Interlocal agreement signs for county-wide funding of the enhanced 9-1-1.
• Request was made to allow horses to be kept in the lagoon area. The request was denied unless approved by the State Health Department.
• Discussion of mandatory garbage services was adopted at a cost of $9.50 per month.
• July 24th celebration to include: flag raising, continental breakfast, speeches and songs, hot air balloon, golf tournament, parade, pie-eating contest, games, bake sale, pony rides, melodrama, and street dance.
• Resident concerns voiced regarding vacant lots, motor bikes being driven on vacant lots, loud music, and watering restrictions due to a broken pump.
• Secondary irrigation system discussed.
• Review of whether or not to install street lights.
• Funds approved for City computer and software.
• Law enforcement and animal control approved through County.
• Cable TV franchise lease dissolved.
• National Guard continues grading of park.

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1982 - 1986

• Discussion regarding a fire station.
• Considerable discussion regarding extending Cedar Hills Drive to the Training School Road to facilitate contract for Town fire service.
• Discussion of removing existing speed bump on Cedar Hills Drive and installing stop signs. Extensive concern about children playing in the street; discussion of installing speed limit signs. Sheriff was asked to ticket speeding on Cedar Hills Drive twice a month.
• Citizens raised concerns about burning of weeds and grasshoppers. Later decided that burning of insects is no longer permitted.
• Consideration of General Obligation Bond for Proposition #1: $80,000 for a firehouse/Town hall; and Proposition #2: $50,000 for completion of Cedar Hills Drive. Proposition #1 vote: 49 For, 97 Against - vote failed. Proposition #2 vote: 67 For, 80 Against - vote failed.
• Town clerk requested that the records of the Town be prepared to be on the computer and also microfilmed in the State microfilming program.
• Town considered purchasing a vacant building in Lehi and relocating it to Cedar Hills to be used as Town hall.
• Request from Mayor Wilson of Salt Lake City was denied for funds to study whether the Winter Olympics would be held in Utah.
• Council authorizes Mayor to purchase typewriter, not to exceed $400.
• Petition submitted by residents to request that 9600 North remain unsanded on icy days to allow for sleighing. The petition was refused.
• Mayor requested that elected official compensation be voluntarily forfeited until March 31, 1986, and donated back to Town funds to maintain a balanced budget. If funds were not needed they would be designated for the Capital Improvement Funds.
• Mr. Smart approached Planning Commission regarding a request for rezoning of 47 acres west of the lagoons to Training School Road. Council approved property zone as SC-1 Commercial Zone.
• Due to lack of support, the proposal to hold two Council meetings per month was dropped.
• Residents asked Town Council to review options for recreational programs for Cedar Hills children.
• County resident asked if annexing into Cedar Hills would allow her home to be re-zoned for a mini-mall.

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1977 - 1981

• Cedar Hills incorporated November 2, 1977. Thirty-one occupied homes at the time.
• Concern regarding sufficient water supply for the future.
• Council urged to adhere to high building standards and wise planning.
• Pleasant Grove City offers use of their City Council room for meetings.
• Discussion of need to hire part-time secretary and establishing regular office hours.
• Issues which were discussed: police protection, water wells, water problems, street maintenance, crushing plant at the mouth of American Fork Canyon.
• Discussion of Mayor and Council salaries to be $1.00 per year.
• Rumors circulating about law suits.
• Animal control officer hired and his pay was raised to $5 per hour. Tranquilizer gun purchased. Position was terminated one month later.
• Adverse feelings from area and townspeople to change the name of Cedar Hills to something else to rid city of stigma.
• Highland rejects proposal to adjust annexation declaration to consider matching Cedar Hills' north border; law suit by lower Manila residents; American Fork considers annexations at south border.
• Borrowing money from Water/Sewer fund for General Fund opposed by residents.
• Pro's and con's of small town discussed.
• Discussion of proposed annexation to American Fork.
• Town's “War on Weeds” foiled by rain.

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