04/11/2017 - Work Session - Minutes MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017
The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, April 11, 2017,
at 5 : 03 p.m. in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building,
451 South State Street.
In Attendance: Council Members Erin Mendenhall, Derek Kitchen,
Stan Penfold, Charlie Luke, Lisa Adams, and Andrew Johnston.
Absent: Councilmember James Rogers .
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council
Director; Jacqueline Biskupski, Mayor; Jennifer Bruno, Executive
Council Deputy Director; Margaret Plane, City Attorney; Benjamin
Luedtke, Council Public Policy Analyst; Russell Weeks, Council
Senior Public Policy Analyst; John Vuyk, Budget Director; Jesse
Stewart, Public Utilities Department Deputy Director; Nick Norris,
Planning Manager; Anthony Riederer, Principal Planner; John
Anderson, Principal Planner; Clair Baldwin, Assistant Fire Chief;
and Cindi Mansell, City Recorder.
Others in Attendance: Emilie Charles, Library Board President;
Jana Ostler, Library Board Member; Peter Bromberg, Library
Executive Director; Jace Bunting, Library Finance Manager; Kimie
Barnett, Salt Lake County Mayor' s Office; Laine Jones, Mountain
Accord Program Director; and Zack Shaw, Salt Lake County Attorney' s
Office.
5:03:11PM Councilmember Penfold presided at and conducted the
meeting. The meeting was called to order at 5 : 03 p.m.
5:10:24PM Councilmember Penfold said he wanted the Council to
recognize "National Public Safety Telecommuters Week" in honor of
approximately 100 employees and their Director who worked as 911
Dispatchers . He said these employees chose a career that interacted
with people at their most critical or traumatic times . He said
this group truly made a difference in the community and, on behalf
of the City Council, he wanted to acknowledge their dedication.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1 . WRITTEN BRIEFING ABOUT THE CITY' S WASTEWATER POLLUTANT
STANDARDS, KNOWN AS "LOCAL LIMITS" . Following a 2015 council
request, public utilities re-evaluated all businesses that are
known to, or reasonably expected to produce wastewater pollutants,
and developed revised limits for a number of pollutants. View
Attachments
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Written Briefing only.
#2 . WRITTEN BRIEFING ABOUT AN ORDINANCE CLOSING A PORTION OF
HAYES AVENUE BETWEEN THE JORDAN RIVER AND 1100 WEST STREET. The
portion of Hayes Avenue is City-owned property and is completely
surrounded by Salt Lake City Open Space land. If the Street is
closed, the property would be conveyed and managed by Salt Lake
City Parks and Open Space pursuant to Petition No. PLNPCM2015-
00764 (Petitioner- Salt Lake City Parks and Open Space) . View
Attachments
Written Briefing only.
#3 . 5:04:10PM WRITTEN BRIEFING ON A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD CLOSE
TO THE PUBLIC A MID-BLOCK, CITY-OWNED ALLEY LOCATED WEST OF 900
WEST BETWEEN DULUTH AVENUE (APPROXIMATELY 1550 NORTH) AND 1500
NORTH. The alley would be sold at fair market value to the adjacent
property owner and provide improved access between land parcels
for the property owner pursuant to Petition No. PLNPCM2013-00196
(Petitioner - Bud Mahas Construction) . View Attachments
Councilmember Mendenhall inquired as to the alley closure for
this sizable piece of property, sale of property, and potential
development that would be adjacent to single-family homes/zoning
across the street. She said she wanted like to raise awareness of
the context of applications received and that by allowing this,
the Council would basically be ensuring this property would not be
developed into single family homes . She said possibly, the
petitioner was looking to develop it themselves into multi-family
homes . She expressed concern about multiple alley vacations being
proposed, and said often times, petitioners encroached upon these
alleys and then used that for justification as to why they should
be vacated. She said she felt this concept was still a valid policy
discussion the Council should have.
Councilmember Adams said the area was zoned for heavy
manufacturing and she did not picture residential development ever
happening in this area.
Discussion followed regarding the potential for Staff to
compile ideas for infill, housing, or various use ideas for alleys
to serve as access for accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or possibly
other types of development.
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#4 . WRITTEN BRIEFING ABOUT A PROPOSED ORDINANCE THAT WOULD
CLOSE AND VACATE A PORTION OF UNNAMED, CITY-OWNED ALLEY AT 1528
WEST NORTH TEMPLE, NEAR CORNELL STREET. The alley closure would
allow properties adjacent to the alley to be combined into a larger
parcel and developed pursuant to Petition No. PLNPCM2015-00941 . If
the ordinance is adopted, the alley would be sold for fair market
value, or traded for similarly valued land along the northern edge
of the property that is owned by the City. An exchange would allow
for the enlargement of an existing storm water retention basin
owned by Public Utilities. View Attachments
Written Briefing only.
#5. WRITTEN BRIEFING ABOUT AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD CLOSE A
CITY- OWNED ALLEY SITUATED BETWEEN APPROXIMATELY 1411 SOUTH AND
HIGH STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 1550 WEST. The alley is 15 feet wide,
250 feet long and is platted, but fences have been built across
the alley blocking it from use. If the proposal is adopted, the
alley would be vacated and the property would be split evenly
between property owners on each side of the alley pursuant to
Petition No. PLNPCM2015-00056. View Attachments
Written Briefing only.
#6. 5:10:10 PM MID-YEAR BRIEFING FROM THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
As part of last year's budget discussions, the Council formally
requested briefings with each of the City's new or interim
department directors. These meetings have been scheduled
throughout the coming months. Each director has been asked to
comment on new events or accomplishments, unexpected issues
affecting their department's budget, changes in service delivery
or new initiatives, and how they might use a significant new budget
allocation, if one were available.
Item pulled.
#7 . 5:11:45 PM BRIEFING REGARDING A PROPOSED ORDINANCE THAT WOULD
REZONE SIX PARCELS LOCATED AT APPROXIMATELY 3129 SOUTH 900 EAST
FROM R-1/7 ,000 (SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO R-1/5000 (SINGLE
FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) . Under the proposal, the existing buildings on
the properties would be demolished to allow for 16 lots to be
developed. View Attachments
Nick Norris and Anthony Riederer briefed the Council with a
PowerPoint and attachments .
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#8 . 5:15:04PM BRIEFING REGARDING A PROPOSED ORDINANCE THAT WOULD
REZONE A PARCEL AT 695 NORTH JOHN GLENN ROAD FROM AGRICULTURAL
(AG) TO LIGHT MANUFACTURING (M-1) AND TO REMOVE THE PARCEL FROM
THE LOWLAND CONSERVANCY OVERLAY DISTRICT (LC) . The changes would
allow the site to be developed into light manufacturing development
pursuant to petition No. PLNPCM2017-00063. The City's Northwest
Quadrant Master Plan supports the change in zoning from AG to M-1
and the property is designated for light Industrial uses. Public
Utilities has reviewed this proposal and is supportive of removing
the property from the overlay district as there are no ponds or
other bodies of water on the property in question, the area is not
located in the floodplain and there have been no wetland areas
discovered in the area. View Attachments
Nick Norris and John Anderson briefed the Council with
attachments .
#9 . 5:17:47PM DISCUSSION ABOUT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FINAL
BUDGET OF SALT LAKE CITY, INCLUDING THE EMPLOYMENT STAFFING
DOCUMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016-17 . Budget amendments happen several
times each year to reflect adjustments to the City's budgets,
including proposed project additions and modifications. The
amendment includes funding for design, engineering and cost
estimates to renovate the old Fire Station No. 14 (1560 S.
Industrial Road) into a fire training center; land acquisition,
design and program assessment to construct a police precinct in
Sugar House; additional building stone repair for the City & County
Building; and purchase of land for the Jordan River Trail Bridge
project, among many other changes (Budget Amendment No. 5) . View
Attachments
Benjamin Luedtke, Jennifer Bruno, Russell Weeks, and John
Vuyk briefed the Council with attachments . Mr. Luedtke said
requests for information were sent to Administration on the Fire
Training Center, Sugar House Police Precinct, Police Department
Social Worker Program, and the Union Pacific Railroad Contribution
to Jordan River Parkway Trail Bridge. He said Staff had not yet
heard responses on all but the Social Worker Program as briefed by
Chief Brown the previous week.
Councilmember Johnston inquired as to the original stated
objectives for the Social Work Program when implemented in effort
to be able to offer comparison as it moved forward. Ms . Bruno said
the objectives were not listed and adopted by the Council because
it was such a new concept/program. She said they hoped for
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evolvement of the program as the Police Department put it together
and moved forward. She said this was a point well taken that could
be addressed and defined moving forward during the upcoming budget
process .
Discussion followed regarding the Department of Airport' s
response to South Valley Regional Airport questions . Inquiry was
raised as to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations
which required operation at least in part to serve the general
aviation community, and whether the FAA realized the Salt Lake
City Airport chose to do that via the South Valley Regional
Airport. Discussion followed regarding FAA definitions or
flexibility to fulfill the general aviation requirements outside
of continuing to use this airport.
The Council requested further discussion at the upcoming
Airport work session relative to FAA requirements, philosophy for
management of the two other airports, and whether services could
be incorporated at the Tooele Airport. Mr. Weeks explained the
philosophy to move traffic out of that airport and said items
included in the budget reflected such. He said the budget
anticipated investing in some hangars at the South Valley Regional
Airport. He said he would work with the Airport Staff to have these
questions answered.
Mr. Luedtke said it might be more appropriate for the Fire
Station Training Center to be handled in context of the annual
budget versus a budget amendment due to other associated costs .
Mr. Baldwin addressed the question of timing and said it should
not be an issue. Mr. Vuyk explained the budget amendment actually
was to recapture funds that were set aside for something else .
Mr. Luedtke inquired if the Council wanted to conduct a Straw
Poll in consideration of the Legislative Intent for Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) Comprehensive Review. The Council felt it
would be appropriate to consider it within the motion sheet. Mr.
Luedtke said the budget amendment would be back before the Council
next week.
NOTE : ITEM 10 IS PART OF THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2017-18
ANNUAL BUDGET
#10 .5:31:01 PM BRIEFING REGARDING THE LIBRARY BOARD ' S
RECOMMENDED OPERATION AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017-18 .
(Budget Amendment No. 1) View Attachments
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Russell Weeks, Peter Bromberg, Mimi Charles, Jana Ostler, and
Jace Bunting briefed the Council .
Ms . Charles acknowledged Library Staff, members of the
Library Board, as well as "Friends of the Library" present and
thanked them for their assistance on so many levels . She said the
Library System Board of Directors unanimously approved a motion at
its March 27, 2017 meeting to approve the budget and recommended
adoption by the City Council . She said the budget included a
proposed $3 . 9 million property tax increase, the first in 15 years .
She discussed the purpose of the increase and key goals .
Mr. Bromberg outlined the context of the budget and discussed
proposed changes . He said the number of facilities and overall
Library system continued to evolve and grow. He discussed education
and partnerships, programs and services, personnel, materials and
supplies, and continued development and collaboration within the
communities . He discussed the new Glendale and Marmalade branches,
including the current operating costs . Mr. Bromberg continued to
review budget priorities such as : planning for future capital
facilities maintenance and technology replacement and upgrades;
maintaining the safety, cleanliness, and welcoming nature of the
facilities; providing an increase for Staff that would match the
cost of living and fund recommendations from a pending compensation
study; begin implementing recommendations for architectural and
space utilization studies for three branches; and promoting access
and high utilization of library materials and services .
Discussion followed regarding daily operations and proposed
elimination of late fees (barriers to access) . Mr. Bromberg said
libraries across the country were moving in this direction and
have determined the process to be insignificant in timely returns
and often revenue neutral . He said there had been discussion in
Board meeting and general support for the idea. Councilmember
Penfold said although the expectation was for the Board to move
forward with this significant change, he was concerned about timing
for Board adoption and revenue elimination from the budget. He
encouraged Mr. Bromberg to keep the Council updated during the
budget process .
Inquiry was raised regarding the outlined intent and benefit
to pay off the debt service a year early. Mr. Bunting explained
the timing of property tax revenue and said the intent was to set
aside the amount needed for the next fiscal year into the debt
service account for the following year. Further discussion
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followed regarding calculations for technology replacement as well
as facilities maintenance . Mr. Bunting outlined inventories,
condition assessments, calculations and square footage formula to
attempt to estimate these projections .
Councilmember Mendenhall inquired as to why the Library did
not want to wait one more year to have exact numbers to fund. Mr.
Bunting said the fund balance had dropped significantly and to
continue to fund operations, security, and facilities it was
determined this would be the year to proceed versus drawing the
balance down further. Ms . Charles said the Board preferred to
retain 16% in reserve, which could facilitate operations for two
months . Councilmember Luke acknowledged all issues overcome by the
Library and specifically, the ability to continue to operate an
effective system without having an adjusted revenue stream.
Councilmember Mendenhall asked if the Library was utilizing
Google Fiber. Mr. Bromberg said not at this time, however,
anticipation was to hire a technology expert. Councilmember
Penfold suggested this item be flagged as a follow-up for Council
Staff to inquire with Google. Mr. Bromberg said Google donated to
the Library collection of computers and hotspots .
Mr. Weeks said there would be multiple opportunities for
public input and discussion: Public Hearing for the Library Budget
would be scheduled as part of the overall annual budget process,
and the Truth in Taxation Hearing would be scheduled for August 1,
2017 .
#11 . 6:20:56PM BRIEFING REGARDING A RESOLUTION THAT WOULD
AUTHORIZE THE APPROVAL OF A REVISED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO
ESTABLISH THE CENTRAL WASATCH COMMISSION. The proposed Commission
would be a multi-jurisdictional effort to address short- and long-
term issues in the Central Wasatch Mountains, including
environmental, transportation, economic and recreational issues.
The Commission would be tasked with implementing the goals of
Mountain Accord. An Interlocal Assignment, Assumption and Consent
Agreement that the City Council adopted October 4, 2016, is
included in the briefing materials. If the Council ultimately
adopts a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the revised
Central Wasatch Commission Interlocal Agreement, the Council also
may adopt a second resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the
Interlocal Assignment, Assumption and Consent Agreement to clarify
that both resolutions are linked by having the same authorization
dates. All funding commitments made by Salt Lake City as part of
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the resolutions will be subject to budget approval by the City
Council. View Attachments
Mayor Biskupski, Russell Weeks, Kimie Barnett, Laine Jones,
Zack Shaw, Margaret Plane, and Jesse Stewart briefed the
Council (Information includes Letter of Support) .
Mr. Weeks provided background and said the Salt Lake County
Council amended the Ordinance the Salt Lake City Council adopted
to allow the County Council at-larger member to serve on the
proposed Commission (in addition to the County Mayor) . He said it
would further eliminate the unanimous approval of the
Commissioners from Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Cottonwood
Heights, and Sandy in exchange for a simple majority vote. He said
Salt Lake City forwarded the Interlocal Agreement that was part of
the original Council action (it was signed and available to the
Central Wasatch Commission) . He reviewed the Council Policy
questions, and pointed out the required approval by each member' s
legislative body for appointment of additional members . He
inquired if the Council considered that sufficient counterweight
to allow the Commission simple majority to appoint additional
members .
Councilmember Penfold said the Council originally requested
modification because the Commission had the ability to add their
own additional members . Mr. Weeks said that was removed but the
key piece was whether the legislative bodies of the founding
members would have any say in the function, appointment powers,
and monetary powers of the Central Wasatch Commission.
Inquiry was raised regarding bonding, with Mr. Shaw stating
a bond issue would not require legislative body approval unless
they would actually be approving a revenue stream to secure the
bond. The Council inquired as to methodology of the additional
Salt Lake County position, with Mr. Shaw stating it specifically
called for an at-large Councilmember because they would represent
the entire County.
Councilmember Mendenhall said original discussions with Salt
Lake County tied the additional position around bonding. She said
there was room for bond investments outside of the watershed and
she would not be surprised if Salt Lake City were asked to
participate. She inquired why Salt Lake City then could not justify
the presence of one of their Councilmembers on that Commission.
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Ms . Barnette said if that was an issue the City Council wanted
to take back to the County Council they could. She said this issue
was taken back before the County Council in October and resulted
in tremendous public outcry. She said further attempts for review
and consideration in response to those concerns put the project on
hold. She said she did not have an answer to the Council question
as to why they would not request the same option as the County at-
large position.
Mr. Weeks said the Commission was initially proposed as a
small group but now consisted of an advisory group of 35 members .
He said a balancing issue would be whether all the cities would be
well represented or whether the Commission should be expanded to
include another person from Salt Lake City. He said however, the
other founding members may then want the same and that would
increase the number by four positions .
Councilmember Mendenhall said Salt Lake City owned the
primary watershed in the areas to be considered by the Central
Wasatch Commission so that should reinforce the need for the
additional position over other cities . She said they needed to be
realistic as to bonding capacity the City may be faced with
relative to participation and expressed concern as to the late
stage of the game to still be conducting these deliberations .
Councilmember Luke said he felt what the Council passed
previously was effective, sufficient, and enough to move forward.
He said he was supportive because he wanted it to move forward so
the Commission could become functional . He said adding another
Salt Lake City representative would require the need for Sandy and
Cottonwood Heights to consider the same and all of that would cause
further delay. He said he did not see the additional Salt Lake
County position as being enough to sway things one way or another.
He said he wished it would have been adopted months ago and moved
forward.
Councilmember Penfold expressed concern relative to bonding
and whether it could occur without Salt Lake City having a voice
in the process . He said the Council originally wanted to address
legal issues, membership, and how the Commission could expand and
now the County returned with a modification that did not serve
Salt Lake City well . Mr. Shaw clarified an entity would have to
approve becoming indebted.
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Mayor Biskupski said there were four Councils that would have
to review and approve any sort of funding stream and, without
question, there would be time for all to consider any ideas around
funding. She said there had not been any discussion about needing
a funding stream that would require bonding, but all entities would
be involved if they were to head down that road. She said every
Mayor and every Council involved had concern and suggested in the
crafting of the bylaws the concerns raised today were provided
consideration.
Further discussion followed regarding notification
requirements surrounding property acquisition, Sandy City and
Cottonwood Heights holding off on approval until all three
municipalities had rendered approval, any changes would have to go
back before the County Council, bylaws, etc. The Council expressed
concern regarding the opportunity of having timely information to
be able to render good decisions .
Ms . Plane cautioned the Council on conditionally approving
the resolution. Inquiry was raised regarding opportunity to recall
an interlocal agreement, with Ms . Plane stating she could not think
of an easy way other than returning to all involved governing
entities to renegotiate, but doing it over bylaws seemed untenable .
She said the question went to the Mayor and the Council' s comfort
level in her communicating these two issues back as they were
developed.
Ms . Jones said these concerns were shared by other Councils
and the requests were not unreasonable. She said she could not see
a reason why bylaws would not require reasonable notice. Mr. Shaw
said the notification provision did not apply to bonding but to
other activities . Discussion followed regarding potential for
delay and what that could mean. Ms . Jones said Congressman Chaffetz
introduced a bill last summer that was not passed during the last
Congress . She said there was now opportunity to reintroduce the
land bill this year if there was a local sponsor operating by
summer. She said if the agreement drug on much longer, another
opportunity could be missed.
Concern was expressed regarding pressure to pass this quickly
and frustrations with Salt Lake County. Ms . Barnett said she
understood the concern with the Council' s position and delays but
said Salt Lake County was working hard to make this happen.
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A 5-1 Straw Poll was conducted in support of the proposal
before the Council with the understanding and commitment to take
the Council concerns to the County Commission immediately as the
bylaws were developed to include definition of notification and
that any modification of bylaws would go through that notification
process . Councilmember Johnston was not in favor and Councilmember
Rogers were not present.
#12 . 7:48:01PM REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INCLUDING A
REVIEW OF COUNCIL INFORMATION ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. The Council
may give feedback or staff direction on any item related to City
Council business, including but not limited to scheduling items.
See File M 17-5 for Announcements .
#13 . REPORT OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
No discussion was held.
#14 . CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN
KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE §52-4-205 FOR ANY ALLOWED PURPOSE.
Item not held.
The meeting adjourned at 7 : 58 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAIR
CITY RECORDER
This document is not intended to serve as a full transcript
as other items may have been discussed; please refer to the audio
or video for entire content.
This document along with the digital recording constitute the
official minutes of the City Council Work Session meeting held
April 11, 2017 .
clm
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