Heber City Planning Commission nominations took a turn earlier this week when Mayor Heidi Franco attempted to nominate Del Barney, the husband of Councilor Yvonne Barney, and the City Council rebuffed her.
The mayor presented her choice to the council after Heber City resident Robert Wilson was approved for a similar term.
Yvonne Barney recused herself from voting — marriage being somewhat of a conflict of interest — and the mayor explained why she had chosen Del Barney.
“Del has tremendous government experience. He is a longtime resident,” she said. “He’s very committed to the downtown vision. I feel that he will bring a well-rounded perspective.”
She said that Del Barney, who has previously served as a deputy and chief auditor of Wasatch County, the CFO of the Park City Fire Service District, a lobbyist, and in a handful of other local government positions, would come with an understanding of government processes and standards.
Del Barney himself chose not to say anything.
“I think Del is one of the best people I know and very qualified,” Councilor Mike Johnston said. “My comment is not personal. I think you’d be great on the Planning Commission. I just feel that it’s not — it’s not illegal — but it’s not appropriate for any of us to have a spouse on the Planning Commission.”
In two years, if Yvonne Barney doesn’t run again for council, he said he’d be happy to vote for her husband.
“Just to respond to that, obviously Yvonne did not put you up to this, she was surprised when you did it,” Franco told Del Barney. “I just happen to know personally from decades of experience of knowing Yvonne and Del that they have independent opinions, and also I do not feel that it’s appropriate for anyone to be denied the ability to apply to any position on these advisory boards just because of family members.”
She said her nominations were meant to allow for a wide diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints.
“I agree with everything you said about Del,” Johnston answered. “I do think if we’re looking for diversity. I think having six men over 60, seven men over 60 on the Planning Commission isn’t much diversity.”
The council, he said, should bring in younger people.
When the mayor asked for a motion to approve Del’s nomination, she received only silence and a comment from Councilor Sid Ostergaard who agreed with Johnston that the situation could be perceived as concerning.
“Del, I think you’re amazing,” he added. “Right now, I’m on the fence.”
Franco said she found no financial conflicts of interest involved with Del Barney.
“Integrity’s integrity,” she said.
When she still didn’t receive her motion, she withdrew the rest of her nominations, leaving open positions on the Planning Commission.
“I’ve got to rework my ideas of how to bring that balance and cross-section,” she said. “I’ll just withdraw all the other nominations at this point. For those of you that have come, I’m sorry you have to wait.”