Council Member Wood,
On August 29, you posted about your vote on July 14th to deny the annexation petition from the Larry H. Miller Group.1 You said Coalville “wasn’t ready.” But after more than 20 months on the City Council, helping Coalville be ready was your job. When the city is not prepared, that is not just bad timing — it shows a lack of leadership from those in charge.
What happened on July 14th went beyond a tough decision. The Council broke the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act.2,3 Without giving notice, the Council opened the floor for public comments, which is a due process violation . Only three people spoke — one from Coalville and two who were not residents. Coalville residents who may have wanted to provide public comment were denied that right. Then the Council voted 3–1 to deny the petition, ending the project before it even had a fair start.
This wasn’t due to inexperience. The Council had already been trained on the Open Meetings Act twice since you joined — once on January 8, 2024, and again on January 27, 2025. You were there both times.4,5 By ignoring the law, the Council created real risks for Coalville and even for its Council members.
Mrs. Wood, leadership is not just about excusing a vote after it’s over. Leadership means making sure Coalville has the staff, policies, and plans to manage growth the right way. If those things were missing, it was the Council’s job to fix them long before July 14th. Too often, the Council has delayed or pushed off decisions that needed action.
But this moment is about more than campaigns or elections. It is about protecting our city. At the September 8th Council meeting, I ask you to act: bring this issue forward, admit the risks created by the July 14th vote, and make a motion to rescind it. While state law requires the developer to start over and pay fees again, rescinding would show good faith. It would help protect Coalville, its people, and even the Council from costly harm.
This is about responsibility and accountability. Coalville needs leaders who will correct mistakes, follow the law, and put the community first.
1 – Coalville City Council Meeting, July 14, 2025 – https://www.coalvillecity.gov/mayor-city-council/meeting/coalville-city-council-meeting-43
2 – Utah Code Title 52 Public Officers Chapter 4 – Open and Public Meetings Act – https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title52/Chapter4/52-4.html
3 – See “When Process Fails, Coalville Pays the Price” https://rory4mayor.com/when-process-fails-coalville-pays-the-price/
4 – Coalville City Council Meeting, January 8. 2024 Training by Summit County Attorney – Utah Open and Public Meetings Act Compliance – https://www.coalvillecity.gov/mayor-city-council/meeting/city-council-13
5 – Coalville City Council Meeting, January 27, 2025 Training by Utah League of Cities and Towns – Utah Open and Public Meetings Act Compliance – https://www.coalvillecity.gov/mayor-city-council/meeting/coalville-city-council-meeting-36