


Campaign "Resume"
Why a campaign "resume"?​
Hi, I’m Melissa Clark. I’m longtime Eagle Mountain resident, City Councilmember, and CEO of the Valley Crossroads Chamber of Commerce. I’m running for mayor because I love this city—and because we need transparent, accountable, experienced leadership to guide us through the challenges and opportunities ahead.
As a wife, mother of four, and business leader with a background in high-level project management, I understand what it takes to solve tough problems and deliver real results. I’ve led national teams, managed large budgets, and brought that same focus to every decision in our city. I’m known for listening carefully, staying informed, and pursuing solutions that reflect the values of our residents—not just the politics of the moment.
I’ve helped local businesses grow, built regional partnerships, and championed smart economic growth. I know how vital a strong local economy is to our future. I’ve walked land with residents, answered late-night calls, and taught emergency preparedness classes. When someone says “it can’t be done,” I don’t stop—I dig in until we find a way.
This election isn’t about talk versus action—it’s about the courage to do both. Let’s build a future that reflects our values and works for the people who call Eagle Mountain home.
Please check out this "resume" highlighting some of my accomplishments and collaborations in the areas of my platform. I would love to be "hired" as your Mayor.
Responsible Development & Infrastructure Planning
Consistently Decreased Density in Proposed Residential Development
December 2019-July 2021 | Ault Farms-met with various members of Planning Commission and City Council with Flagship to increase lot size and reduce unit count from 3688 to less than 1708, eliminating 2109 townhomes and apartments and in a critical area.
February 16, 2021 | Scarlet Ridge-Another council member wanted additional larger lots. The developer was trying to make the project work, and we had reached an impasse. We tabled the item and I met with the other councilmember and the developer to come up with a creative solution that makes it work for both the landowner and the city. Because this development had a minimum of half acre lots, I suggested we look at reducing or removing the park and the developer to pay the fee-in-lieu. This made it possible to increase the lot sizes and got the project to where the other councilmember felt that it complied with the General Plan. It was a win for both sides.
April 3, 2018 - May 1, 2018 | Eagle Point J-Advocated for reducing density and increasing lot size and helped the developer to see the benefit of the adjacent open space on the benches and that these lots would be an asset if made larger.
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Removed Multifamily from Critical Neighborhood Area
May 1, 2018 | Successfully removed multifamily from proposed plan as a part of the rezone of 5 acres of Ranches Golf Course to Residential. Due to a previous agreement between the City & Ranches Golf Course. Ranches Course had been entitled to sell some of the land surrounding the golf course to develop additional homes. The negotiations for this started in 2016 as per comments from Steve Mumford in the meeting. This was a horrible situation because we did not want a rundown bankrupt golf course in the middle of homes and the city could not take on the financial burden of running a golf course. Prior to the meeting I went to take a tour of all of the sites and met with residents that were concerned about what this rezone would mean for their homes.
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Blasting Code, Section 8.25 EM Code
May 2018 | Blasting Code
After some disputed damage to properties and an ad hoc mine being set up in a residential neighborhood, I collaborated with state agencies, fellow council members, planning commission and staff to create new code that protects homeowners and property developers by requiring that both pre-blast and post-blast inspections are offered to neighboring homes. Along with the inspections a bond is put into place to cover legitimate claims of damage.
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Land Use, Agriculture & Rural Protections
July 17, 2018 | Removal of Cedar Drive stub road from Future Transportation and Land Use Map. Designation of property abutting Cedar Pass Ranch as Agriculture/Rural Density 1 in General Plan Map. September 2020 | Rooster Code - Worked with fellow council to stop the creation of new code to prohibit roosters because we already have code in place to deal with nuisances. Collaborated with fellow councilmembers and supported Rich Wood, Jared Gray, and Brett Wright as Planning Commissioners to re-write residential code and zoning code. This facilitated a cleaner, better process for approvals and vetting of projects.
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Public Transportation & Micro Transit
Collaborating with Utah County Commissioner Skyler Beltran, Councilman Chris Carn, UTA Trustee Jeff Acerson, to utilize Local Transportation Innovation Grants through the Utah Transportation Commission and UDOT to create a local bus route that addresses critical transportation needs. Working to obtain funding to accelerate the timeline for Micro-Transit in Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, and Lehi Service Area.
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Promises made, promises kept
Time and time again, developers and realtors sell new homes with the promises of grandiose parks even going as far as promising splash pads and mega soccer complexes. When residents from the Woodhaven neighborhood reached out with safety and nuisance concerns about an 11 acre parcel that was promised to be a park, but never happened. I worked with Councilmember Curtis to secure park funds, gather Council support, and work with City staff to choose a design firm, host public input meetings, and get the Woodhaven neighborhood park built.
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Blasting & Mining Settlement Agreement, Shupe Builders & Goldsworth Real Estate
January 2018 | Special Meeting of City Council As mitigation for the negative impacts of blasting and mining in Skyline Ridge neighborhood, worked with city staff and legal to propose compensation for damages and for neighborhood park improvements.
Transparency, Accountability, & Communication
Meeting Live Streaming
Championed live streaming of City Council meetings to make it possible for all residents to be able to attend meetings virtually. Prior to this, the meetings were recorded and then posted at a later date on youtube. This is especially huge in a community where half of our population is children. Many moms and dads want to be involved and to know what is going on in their city, but they also need to be parents at bedtime.
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Joint Meetings with Neighboring Cities
Formally requested the Mayor allow the scheduling of a joint meeting with Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Cedar Fort, and Fairfield to discuss regional transportation issues. Prior to this request it had been 6 years since EM and SS councils had met together. During my hiatus from council, this did not happen, when I returned to council these meetings resumed with the support of Councilmember Wood.
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Social Media Presence
Consistently requested additional communication from official city channels to help keep residents informed. Since being elected, I have consistently posted on my Facebook page events, updates, and relative content. When people have a question, they know if they tag me, I will work to get them answers and results. During Covid, I met with state and regional leaders to do interviews or as I call them “Soda Summits” so when the people could not attend meetings in person and ask their representatives questions, they could interact virtually and stay in touch.
Meetings | Improved Transparency & Creative Solutions
February 20, 2018 | At my request, Public Notices for specific neighborhoods now sent to all Planning Commissioners and Council Members Improved Budget & Strategic Planning Meetings- At my request to City Administrator, Ifo Pili, we improved our annual budget meeting to include presentations from Department Heads and representatives from UTA, MAG, Utah Valley Chamber. It became more of a conference and an opportunity to dig into the issues most impacting our city. Requested that we review new, large proposals and applications in the work session two weeks before the item comes as a decision item in the policy session. This helps give the Council and the public the time needed to review and digest an item and the possibility to ask staff and applicants additional questions.
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Joint Meetings with Alpine School District Board of Education
2020 | At my request, Eagle Mountain Council began regularly meeting with ASD School Board and key staff members to coordinate and collaborate over growth and important issues impacting our local schools. This stopped or became infrequent during my hiatus from City Council, Meet monthly with local school board member Julie King. Attend school board meetings when interlocal agreements are being presented and for major boundary changes impacting our schools. Attended ASD School Board Meetings and public information meetings during the discussion of the School District split, worked with residents, school board members and other city councils to bring forth an interlocal agreement and put the decision about a new school district forward on the November 2024 ballot for the voters.
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Prop 14 & Political Action Committee
Volunteered with the West District Political Issue Committee to provide information and transparency to voters. Hosted online meetings and in-person info meetings. Created infographics to help explain all sides of the issue. Attended farmers markets in Eagle Mountain and Saratoga Springs to help provide information to voters.​
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Resident & Business Concerns | On-site meetings
I meet with residents and business owners when they have questions and concerns and bring their feedback to staff or present in a City Council meeting. Requested that we review new, large proposals and applications in the work session two weeks before the item comes as a decision item in the policy session. This helps give the Council and the public the time needed to review and digest an item and the possibility to ask staff and applicants additional questions. This has improved and makes it so residents now have multiple chances to learn about proposed developments and code changes.​
Safety & Security
Financial Reserve
In the State of Utah, municipalities are allowed to have up to a 35% rainy day reserve. During my time on council the state raised that maximum from 25% up to 35%, I have consistently advocated for a maxed financial reserve and monitor the annual budget for revenue and expenses to prioritize essential government services–roads, public safety, sewer, and water.
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Fuel Reserve
Introduced the idea and made it a budget priority to have an 10,000 gallon underground diesel tank constructed at EM Community Development Building. This is so in the event of a widespread disaster we will have the equipment needed and fuel needed to make crucial repairs to city infrastructure.
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Community Emergency Response Team Trailers
Worked with EM Emergency Manager, Jeff Weber to prioritize, fund, and outfit the CERT trailers so we can have two trailers that can be brought into any area of the city in the event of a disaster. They have ham radio, antenna, generator, search and rescue equipment, basic fire suppression and first aid.
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Prioritize Safety Upgrades for Roads
I have personally done ride-alongs with our Streets Department Director to better understand the issues and concerns we face as a city.
In conjunction with fellow councilmembers, prioritized stoplights in key locations, especially in school crossing areas. Prioritized light at Lone Tree intersection after meeting with residents to hear their concerns.
Pushed for longer turn lanes on Pony Express & Redwood and Pony Express and Aviator, and requested dedicated left turn light at Porters Crossing, Foothill, and Redwood Rd during Pony Express expansion.
Advocated for a turn lane at Tyson and SR 73 by the request of White Hills residents.
Worked with residents and Councilmember Brett Wright to get an immediate emergency egress for Lone Tree. Prioritizing a permanent connection to Airport Road as a third egress for Lone Tree.
First raised the paving of Airport Road in 2018 during budget meetings, and consistently advocated for the widening of Pony Express Parkway, Eagle Mountain Boulevard and Airport Road. Airport Road was approved by City Council in 2021, bonded for and funded in 2022, and started construction in 2024. It is slated for completion in 2025.
Economic Vitality & Job Creation
Redevelopment Agency
2018-2021 & 2024-2025 | Served on the Eagle Mountain Redevelopment Agency Board, worked collaboratively with the Governors' Office of Opportunity, EDCUtah, and leaders from other taxing authorities to create and oversee 5 RDA Agreements with Meta, Tyson, Google, QTS, and Tract. Had individual meetings with School Board Members and Utah County Commissioners to advocate for the projects and gain support.
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Valley Crossroads Chamber of Commerce
2022-2025 | Grown membership by 500%, grew marketing program revenue by 300%. Grew membership revenue by 425%. Raised nearly a half a million dollars to fund the Launch Pad Business Resource Center and Business Incubator. Increased the number of municipalities supporting the Chamber to 4. Grew ShopFest from less than 200 vendors in 2022 to 382 in 2024. In 2024, grew attendance at Chamber events, provided 912 hours of business training, hosted 681 hours in networking events, led 740 hours in Advocacy Events and facilitated 619 hours in mentorship. Created the first Eagle Mountain Business Awards in 2024.
Created Business Clinics for local businesses with marketing, business law, business taxes, financial services, and computer & technology. Brought the Small Business Development Center and Small Business Administration to Eagle Mountain to provide all of the business support services offered on college campuses along the Wasatch Front. Facilitated the creation of Department of Workforce Services office hours in Eagle Mountain at the Business Resource Center.
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WiFi at Farmers Market and Cory Wride Park
With requests from Eagle Mountain Farmers Market and ShopFest Utah Committee, worked with a local resident and businesses to get WiFi network equipment installed at Cory Wride Memorial Park, and donation of WiFi donated by a local internet provider. All done at no cost to Eagle Mountain City or taxpayers.
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State of Utah Investment & National Reach
2022 | Featured speaker at the National Conference of the ACCE Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives 2022 | Hosted Water Symposium Panel discussion with local, state, and federal leaders with Central Utah Water Conservancy District
2022 | Collaborated with Eagle Mountain Nature Wildlife Alliance to bring local, state, and federal leaders on Wildlife Corridor Tours in conjunction with Water Symposium
2023 | Local Business Tour for Federal elected officials. Brought Congressman Burgess Owens on a listening tour to meet with local businesses and to hear first hand from business leaders.
2023 | Obtained $100k grant from Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
2024 | Hosted Governor Spencer Cox for the Grand Opening of the Launch Pad Business Resource Center, during rush hour in Eagle Mountain to showcase traffic and road needs.
2024 | Featured speaker at Rural Utah Chamber Coalition Annual Conference
2024 | Featured Panelist at One Utah Summit at Cedar City, UT
2025 | Featured Presenter at Utah Association of Chambers
Protect the Beauty & Lifestyle We Love
Wildlife & Open Space Protections
February 2018 58:034:0332, Preserved 52 acres of open space within the wildlife corridor, I was the only Councilmember that initially led out with opposition to selling the land. I worked behind the scenes to encourage public participation in that meeting to request that the city preserve the land and I lobbied my fellow council to be willing to not sell the land. During the meeting, I asked for that land to be set aside by the city as a preserve and was shot down, but was settled in the fact that the land would not be sold for development in the corridor or over the top of the mountain in the center of town. Designation of property abutting Cedar Pass Ranch as Agriculture/Rural Density 1 in General Plan Map.
January 2018 | Ridgeline Protection Overlay Zone (Collaborative Effort)
February 2021 | 17.49 Wildlife Corridor Overlay Zone (Collaborative Effort)
Spring 2022 | Formalize the organization of the Eagle Mountain Nature and Wildlife Alliance, for at least a year this group of dedicated residents had been operating as a community group, but not the 501c3 nonprofit designation. At my encouragement, the group met together and I walked them through the process of setting up their Board of Directors, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and the submission of the paperwork to the IRS. This was a pivotal step for EMNWA.​
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Arts & Community
2023 | Facilitated rehearsal space for the Eagle Mountain Symphony Orchestra
2016 & 2015 | Producer of Community Messiah, EMAA joint effort with Saratoga Springs Arts Council
2014 | Co-Founder of Eagle Mountain Arts Alliance, to foster and support local arts at no cost to taxpayers
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Proven Track Record
Service & Community
2021-2025 | EM Serves Committee
2018-21, 2023-25 | Pony Express Events, organized & invited guests for the dignitary wagons for the special entry
2023-2025 | American Legion Post 111 Auxiliary
2021 | Be Ready Eagle Mountain Preparedness Fair
2018 | Eagle Project Mentor for Bart Fuhriman
2016 | Organizer, Eagle Mountain Family History Fair
2015 | Eagle Project Mentor for Kimball Muhlestein​
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Committees
Mountainland Economic Development District | MAG Board of Directors (2024, 2025)
Fresh Look at Transit Working Group (2024, 2025) UTA, UDOT
EM Serves Collaborate with CVHS, RCHS, EM Kestrel Project (2021, 2022, 2023, 2025)
Be Ready Eagle Mountain Emergency Preparedness Collaborate with VIPS, UCSO, UFA, CERT, EM Emergency Communications (2018-2021)
Woodhaven Park Steering Committee (2019-21)
Smith Ranch Park Steering Committee (2020-21)
Design Review Committee (2018) Facebook
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City Responsibilities & Liaison Assignments
American Legion (2025) liaison
Library Board (2024) liaison
Senior Council (2024) liaison
Mayor Pro Tempore (2021)
Youth Council (2021) co-liaison
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (2021) liaison
Pony Express Events (2020) liaison
Cemetery Board (2020) liaison
Youth Council (2019) liaison
Military & Veterans Board (2019) liaison
Eagle Mountain Arts Alliance (2019) liaison
Economic Development Board (2018) liaison
Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce (2018) liaison
Planning Commission (2018) liaison
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (2016-2017) Board Member
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Attendance
2025 City Council Meetings | Attended 100%
2024 City Council Meetings | Attended 100%
2021 City Council Meetings | Attended 100%
2020 City Council Meetings | Attended 100%
2019 City Council Meetings | Attended 100%
2018 City Council Meetings | Attended 100%
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Awards & Certifications
Ham Radio Licensed | KJ7HRL
CERT Certified | Eagle Mountain
2023 Lifetime Wildlife Advocate Eagle Mountain Nature & Wildlife Alliance
2024 Continued Dedicated Service Award American Legion Post #111
2024 Mountain Mover Award Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce