It's the latest quirk for leaders of the city-in-waiting as they work toward opening for business Jan. 14.
The mailing address of the offices the City Council selected are technically within a Midvale ZIP code, although they are within Cottonwood Heights' boundaries.
"That would be very difficult to have Midvale on our address," Mayor-elect Kelvyn Cullimore said Tuesday night.
While the news was met with a few punch lines and lighthearted ribbing, Cullimore added the city of 34,000 people needs to change that.
"We joke about it but it really would be confusing to have the Cottonwood Heights City Hall listed with a Midvale address," he said.
The city offices are on the second floor of an office building at 1265 E. Fort Union Blvd.
While the council faces other major hurdles - primarily, setting the $4 million budget immediately after becoming a city, approving city ordinances and contracting for police services - the mailing address will be dealt with.
To fix the problem, Cottonwood Heights officials need to add their city's name to the 84047 ZIP code.
Ultimately, the city could petition the U.S. Postal Service to designate a ZIP code unique to Cottonwood Heights.
It's a process, however, that can take three years.
Liane Stillman, the newly hired city manager who is working without pay and without a contract until the January startup, said the city probably will wait for that petition because annexations may stretch the southeastern Salt Lake County community's boundaries in the next few years.
A lease of the office space is still pending as the council negotiates with the property owner. The council plans to sign a letter of intent with the owner because it is unable to officially sign contracts until the incorporation is complete.
Even so, city leaders need to move into the offices by Jan. 18, the first day they are required to provide services.
Cullimore met with Lt. Gov.-elect Gary Herbert early Tuesday and received tentative approval for incorporation.
That permission allows the city to begin hiring staff, such as a recorder and treasurer.
jsantini@sltrib.com
