Draper's first fire chief retires Friday; Steve Pearson takes the department as interim

DRAPER — The City Council voted 5-0 on Nov. 10 to appoint Deputy Fire Chief Steve Pearson as interim fire chief, effective Nov. 13, the day Chief Clint Smith's retirement takes effect 12.

The appointment came in Resolution 26-48, which the council passed as part of its consent agenda 12. The resolution recites that Smith "is retiring effective November 13, 2026," that Mayor Troy Walker appoints Pearson "with the advice and consent of the City Council," and that the appointment "shall continue until Mayor Walker appoints a permanent Fire Chief in accordance with Draper City ordinances and applicable Utah law" 2. It cites Draper City Municipal Code 3-1-030 and Utah Code 10-3b-104, and states that the mayor found the appointment in the public interest "based on Pearson's abilities, tenure with the City, prior experience relating to the duties of the office, and managerial capabilities" 2.

Mayor Walker described the reason for the interim appointment on the record after the vote: Smith is "our first and only fire chief that started our department" 1. The city's own fire department history matches that description. Its fire stations page states that the department "started serving the citizens of Draper on June 30, 2017," with Station 21 at 780 East 12300 South as headquarters, and it lists three stations 3.

A farewell for Smith is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13. Walker told the meeting the ceremony runs 3 to 7 p.m. and said the address would be posted on the city's website 1. The city's November/December Draper Forward newsletter, posted Nov. 4, carries a tribute to Smith and a farewell from him as he prepares to retire 4.

**Two new firefighters**

Earlier in the business session, two recruits took the oath and had badges pinned by family members: Tyler Goodman and Blake Kennedy 1. The swearing-in was conducted by an assistant chief, who told the council both had completed a recruiting camp that he described as mentally and physically demanding 1.

**A UTA crossing agreement, at no cost**

The same consent vote approved Resolution 26-50, an at-grade crossing agreement with the Utah Transit Authority 12. The resolution describes the crossing as an approximately 50-foot-wide asphalt roadway, including curb, gutter and sidewalk, that crosses UTA's North South light rail right of way at about Mile Post NS 17.30, and grants the city a license to construct, operate and maintain it under UTA contract NS/S/7453/G 2. It records that "the standard administrative fee, real estate usage charge, and related inspection fees have been waived by UTA" 2.

**The Duffin hearing that did not happen**

The council's one scheduled public hearing, on Ordinances 1743 and 1744 for 7.71 acres at approximately 267 W. 11915 S., was continued to a date uncertain at the applicant's request, 5-0 1. This paper reported that continuance on Nov. 11, including the Planning Commission's 4-0 negative recommendation and the traffic findings in the staff report 5.