Mapleton resident offers deal to developer

MAPLETON — A private resident is apparently attempting to negotiate an agreement with a developer on behalf of the city that would protect Mapleton's resources if the developer backed out.

David Nemelka has attempted to get Jack Evans, manager of Presidio Capital, to agree to pick up the costs of a boundary adjustment with Spanish Fork to transfer some 600 Ensign-Bickford Corp. acres into the city if the company backs out. If Spanish Fork and Mapleton approved the boundary exchange at U.S. 6 and state Route 89, Presidio could still decide to remain in Spanish Fork if it disagreed with Mapleton's requirements, leaving Mapleton with the expense of advance planning, City Councilman Brian Wall said.

In an apparent exchange for a guarantee from Presidio, Nemelka said he would withdraw from publicly opposing the boundary adjustment. Evans turned him down.

"Nemelka is doing it on his own because the city won't make that negotiation," Wall said.

Ensign-Bickford owns Presidio Capital, which is planning a commercial, industrial and residential development on the property where Ensign-Bickford once manufactured explosives.

Nemelka was unavailable for comment, but forwarded an e-mail to the Deseret News that expressed his outrage over Evans' rejection. Evans followed with his own e-mail that said he would follow normal procedure.

Nemelka wrote that the boundary line adjustment would be the largest financial transaction in Mapleton's history. He characterized Presidio's refusal to give Mapleton a guarantee as "no more than an unfair attempt by you to gain an advantage for future financial benefits for the Presidio investors. I am convinced Presidio Capital intends to negotiate reduced sewer impact fees from Mapleton City."

Mapleton's sewer impact fees are about $3,000 per house, or about twice what Spanish Fork charges. Mapleton's Mayor Laurel Brady said the city wasn't offering Evans any special deal. Attorneys are now drafting the documents, she said.

Wall cast the one vote against moving forward on the proposal until the city had more details several weeks ago. Public hearings are scheduled for mid-December in both cities. The vote to approve the boundary adjustment could follow.

Nemelka has been actively working to stop the boundary shift. He paid for a flier circulating around town urging residents to vote for candidates opposed to it. Those candidates are identified as Ryan Farnworth, Jim Lundberg, April Clawson and Wall, who is running for the mayor's seat.

Spanish Fork officials originally advanced the idea, arguing that Evans' 1,000-home development would be better suited geographically in Mapleton.

Ensign-Bickford ceased operations about three years ago and began cleaning up the site so it could be used for industrial, commercial and residential development. Cleanup is nearly complete, state officials say.