In The Middle of Everything City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047
JANUARY 2026 CITY NEWSLETTER
Midvale Monthly with Mayor Gettel A Bright and Hopeful New Year MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY City Hall ...................................................801-567-7200 Finance/Utilities ...................................801-567-7200 Court ........................................................801-567-7265 City Attorney’s Office .........................801-567-7250 City Recorder/Human Resources ...801-567-7228 Community Development ...............801-567-7211 Public Works ..........................................801-567-7235 Ace Disposal/Recycling .....................801-363-9995 Midvale Historical Museum .............801-567-7285 Midvale Senior Center .......................385-468-3350 SL County Animal Services ..............385-468-7387 Communications .................................801-567-7230
MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor - Dustin Gettel Email: Dgettel@midvaleut.gov CITY COUNCIL District 1 - Bonnie Billings Email: Bbillings@midvaleut.gov District 2 - Paul Glover Email: Pglover@midvaleut.gov District 3 - Heidi Robinson Email: Hrobinson@midvaleut.gov District 4 - Bryant Brown Email: Bbrown@midvaleut.gov District 5 - Denece Mikolash Email: Dmikolash@midvaleut.gov
WHO TO CALL FOR… Water Bills ...............................................801-567-7200 Ordering A New Trash Can ...............801-567-7202 Permits ....................................................801-567-7214 Court ........................................................801-567-7265 Paying For Traffic School ...................801-567-7202 Business Licensing ............................. 801-567-7213 Cemetery ................................................801-567-7235 Planning and Zoning .........................801-567-7238 Code Enforcement ..............................801-567-7208 Building Inspections...........................801-567-7214 Graffiti .....................................................385-468-9769
PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY CONTACTS EMERGENCY .............................................................. 911 Police Dispatch .....................................801-840-4000 Fire Dispatch .........................................801-940-4000 Unified Police Department > Midvale Precinct .............................385-468-9350 Public Works ..........................................801-567-7235 Rocky Mountain Power .....................877-508-5088
As we end another remarkable year in Midvale, I want to take a moment to share my warmest wishes with each of you. The holiday season has a special way of reminding us of what truly matters … family, friendship, community, and the small moments of generosity and connection that carry us through each day. No matter how you celebrate, this time of year invites us to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the people and places that make life feel full. Across our city, I’ve seen countless examples of kindness over the past year. Neighbors checking on neighbors, families pitching in to support community drives, volunteers stepping up time and again to make sure our city events and programs shine. That spirit is what strengthens Midvale and makes it a place we’re all proud to call home. As we enter the first days of the new year, I hope your holiday season was filled with warmth, joy, and cherished memories. Whether you kept long-held traditions alive or created new ones for the first time, may these memories bring you comfort and connection for years to come. Looking ahead, I am filled with so much optimism for what 2026 will bring. Midvale is entering the new year with momentum, with shared goals, and with a community spirit that gives me confidence in our future. But beyond the projects and plans, the true promise of a new year lies in the opportunity it brings each of us: a chance for renewal, for growth, and for new memories waiting to be made. My sincere wish for all of you is that 2026 is a year of safety, health, happiness, and prosperity. May it be a year where we celebrate achievements both big and small, draw closer to the people who matter most, and continue building a community where everyone feels they belong. May your homes be filled with peace, your days filled with possibility, and your hearts filled with hope.
As your mayor, I am deeply grateful for the trust you place in me and for the privilege of serving such a remarkable city. Thank you for your resilience, your compassion, and your unwavering commitment to each other. Together, we will continue to make Midvale stronger, kinder, and more vibrant in the year ahead. From the office of the mayor, our city council, and staff: May 2026 be safe, joyful, and full of blessings for every member of our community. Here’s to a bright year ahead and to the many wonderful moments waiting to unfold in Midvale!
Midvale Continues to Strengthen Neighborhoods Through Housing Programs and Planning Midvale City continues its commitment to strengthening existing neighborhoods, expanding housing opportunities, and supporting residents across all income levels. Through comprehensive policies, strategic partnerships, and community collaboration, the City works to improve housing stability, encourage responsible development, and address challenges in the local housing market. These efforts help ensure Midvale remains an attractive, inclusive, and welcoming place to call home. Supporting Homeownership and Housing Preservation Midvale City’s Redevelopment Agency partners with NeighborWorks Salt Lake to provide ongoing housing assistance programs for residents. The Down Payment Assistance Program helps low- to moderate-income, first-time homebuyers purchase homes in Midvale through loans and grants. In addition to financial support, the program promotes fair access to homeownership and provides education to help residents navigate the homebuying process. For homeowners already living in Midvale, the Home Repair Loan Program supports low- to moderate-income residents who need help with critical repairs and accessibility improvements. Eligible projects include emergency
repairs, safety upgrades, ADA-related modifications, blight removal, energy efficiency improvements, and other work that helps preserve housing quality and stabilize neighborhoods. Residents can learn more about housing programs and available resources at Midvale.Utah.gov/Housing.
Housing Programs Down Payment Assistance Program: Offers loans and grants for low- to moderateincome individuals purchasing their first homes. Home Repair Loan Program: Assists qualified homeowners in addressing various home repair needs.
In The Middle of Everything
MIDVALE . UTAH . GOV
Meet the Midvale Art House Artists: J.J. Riggs “Art should be about joy, 100%,” J.J. Riggs said. “It should be about listening to what excites you.” Riggs completes the team of artists at the Midvale Art House (7697 S. Main Street), joining Abel (@abeltheartist), Adrianne (@adriannefreeman), Ash (@ashamosart), and Telli (@tellikinesis). She is stepping away from two decades in creative technology, directing teams and researching user design. You may recognize her work for Purple Mattress. “I was a creative director for Purple as one of their first creative directors,” she said. “We were doing really deep, fun, campy, outside-of-the-box type of marketing. I would hire actors to be Sasquatches. We ended up hiring one of the actresses from Studio C to be Goldilocks.” With this imaginative and inventive background, she comes to the Art House with a mind ready to gather the community into the fold. “I started to develop the Creative Rebellion last year,” Riggs said. “My goal is to be able to support all creatives, not just visual artists, but also musicians, dancers, sculptors, whatever creative element somebody wants to do.
I want to evolve the standards in society about art and what art is today.” And she doesn’t mean only those who make money as fulltime artists or performers, but she believes it is for everyone. “Art is a journey with yourself. We all have it, all of us,” she said. “A lot of people are just drowning out theirs in their industry, in their jobs, in their day-to-day life, and incorporating something like what we do here I think could really help people in their lives. It’s not just a talent.” At the Midvale Art House, Riggs will be expanding offerings with new art classes and open studio time, creating more opportunities for people to explore creativity without pressure. “I just want to help share that creativity with people and help them find ways to be comfortable when they sit down and how to have courage and confidence to sit down and just enjoy their art session time versus stressing out. Everyone is unique and individual and what people create I think is fascinating to me.” Like most children, she explored art before shifting into creative technology “so she could make money.” After her company’s third round of layoffs last year and spending weeks looking for a new
Big Beginnings Start Small: Learn About Preschool & Kindergarten at Canyons District Open Houses
Families with young children are invited to explore Canyons School District’s high-quality preschool and kindergarten programs at a series of early-learning open houses this January. Now in its second year, the District’s open house series has quickly become a trusted resource for parents preparing their 3- to 5-year-olds for school. January is the ideal time for families to consider learning options for the 2026–2027 school year. Canyons District will accept applications for full- and half-day kindergarten and tuition-based preschool Jan. 14 through Feb. 27, 2026. To support families in navigating their choices, Canyons is hosting six open houses across the community (see schedule). Come with questions, and leave with a free pencil case and coloring book! Learn more at CanyonsDistrict.org.
AdoptUtahPets.org
job, “I would get to round six of the interviews and it was sucking my soul,” she realized. “I didn’t want to go back to tech, it felt awful.” A switch flipped. “I started looking at classes and found a workshop in Salt Lake City in oil painting and portraiture.” She said there is never any reason to give up on art, no matter when and where you are in your life, and regardless of the feedback you may get from others. “The minute I started to tell people, ‘I’m an artist, I’ve changed careers;’ it’s just so fascinating hearing so many people say: ‘You can’t make it, you started too late, you’ll never make money.’ I can’t help but think that’s your story and that’s what you believe. That’s not what I believe.” Her ultimate goal at the Midvale Art House is to de-stigmatize art, making it a routine part of healthy adult life, not just a specialized hobby. “I want to make it so it’s normal for everyday people to go and do art weekly to fuel those creative juices because those creative skills help you with problem solving. It helps you with coping. It helps you with getting to know yourself.” Come be a part of the Art House by viewing, making, taking in, or buying art. Address: 7697 S. Main Street, Midvale, UT 84047 Hours: Tues. through Sat., 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Website: EngageMidvale.com/Art-House Learn more about Riggs’ Creative Rebellion at: TheCreativeRebellion.org
JANUARY 2026 CITY NEWSLETTER MIDVALE . UTAH . GOV
The Power of Community Engagement Strong communities are built when residents are informed, involved, and engaged. While national issues often dominate headlines, the decisions that most directly affect daily life happen right here at the local level. Local government is where engagement has the greatest impact. From housing and development to transportation, parks, and public safety, these decisions shape how Midvale looks, feels, and functions. When residents show up, ask questions, and share their perspectives, those voices help guide better outcomes for the entire community. The Power of Local Participation City Council and Planning Commission meetings are where ideas become policies and plans move forward. These meetings are open to the public and provide opportunities to: • Learn what’s happening in your city • Share feedback on projects and proposals • Strengthen transparency and trust in local government Engagement doesn’t have to be complicated, sometimes it’s as simple as attending a meeting, reading an agenda, or submitting a comment. Every voice adds value. Save the Dates: 2026 Public Meetings Residents are encouraged to mark their calendars and stay connected by attending City Council and Planning Commission meetings throughout the year. Meeting dates are subject
to change, so always check the agenda in advance. Agendas, minutes, and meeting updates are available online at Midvale. Utah.gov/Agenda. More Ways to Get Involved with EngageMidvale In addition to attending meetings, residents can participate anytime through EngageMidvale.com, the City’s online community engagement platform. EngageMidvale makes it easy to: • Share input on city projects and proposals • Take surveys and polls • Review updates and timelines • Join discussions about what matters most to you
You a Yo are e in invited ited to attend the
Swearing-In Ceremony January 6, 2026 6:30 p.m.
Midvale City Hall 7505 S Holden Street, Midvale
Even if you can’t attend a meeting in person, EngageMidvale ensures your voice is heard and helps shape Midvale’s neighborhoods and services. Stay Informed: Subscribe for City Council Updates Want to stay up to date with upcoming City Council meetings and other important community events? Subscribe to receive notifications via text or email at Midvale.Utah.gov/ Get-Connected. By signing up, you’ll never miss an update on decisions and discussions that shape our community. Whether online or in person, your participation helps keep Midvale transparent, responsive, and strong. Get involved, stay informed, and be part of shaping Midvale’s future.
Council C ouncil Member Member Bryant Brown, District 4
Mayor M ayor Dustin Gettel
Council C ouncil Member Member Denece Mikolash, District rict 5
Join by Zoom: Midvale.Utah.gov/YouTube
Midvale City 2026 Recycling Calendar YES
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NO
Clean cardboard, paper, plastic bottles, and cans.
Plastic bags, food waste, glass, or Styrofoam.™
Clean Paper & Cardboard, YES!
Coated Paper Containers, NO!
Empty Plastic Bottles & Jugs, YES!
Other Plastics & Styrofoam,™ NO!
Empty Aluminum & Steel Cans, YES!
All Glass, Food & Yard Waste, NO!
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Recycle collection occurs every other week on the same day as your trash service. Please make sure all recyclables fit in your recycling container, and place your carts on the curb the night before or by 7:00 AM on your service day.
HOLIDAYS OBSERVED
When a collection day falls on one of the following holidays, New Years’ Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, the collection will be delayed by one day.
DO NOT Bag Items. Keep It Clean. All items must be free of food & liquid. Questions? Call customer service at (801) 363-9995 or email us recycle@acedisposal.com
HELP US KEEP UTAH CLEAN! visit www.acedisposal.com or email us at recycle@acedisposal.com