04/23/2019 - Work Session - Minutes MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 23 , 2019
The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, April 23, 2019,
in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State
Street.
In Attendance: Council Members Erin Mendenhall, Chris Wharton,
James Rogers, Charlie Luke, Andrew Johnston, Analia Valdemoros,
and Amy Fowler.
Absent: Councilmember James Rogers .
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Council Executive
Director; Jennifer Bruno, Council Executive Deputy Director; David
Litvack, Mayor' s Deputy Chief of Staff; Rusty Vetter, Deputy City
Attorney; Benjamin Luedtke, Council Public Policy Analyst;
Jennifer McGrath, Community and Neighborhoods Deputy Director; Sam
Owen, Council Policy Analyst; Laura Briefer, Public Utilities
Director; Jesse Stewart, Public Utilities Deputy Director; Jason
Brown, Public Utilities Chief Engineer; Lisa Tarufelli, Public
Utilities Finance Administrator; Holly Mullen, Public Utilities
Communication Engagement Manager; Jennifer Schumann, Housing and
Neighborhood Development Policy and Program Manager; Lani
Eggertsen-Goff, Housing and Neighborhood Development Interim
Director; Mary Beth Thompson, Chief Financial Officer; John Vuyk,
Budget Director; Bill Wyatt, Department of Airports Executive
Director; Brian Butler, Department of Airports Interim Finance
Director; Jonathan Larsen, Transportation Director; and Scott
Crandall, Deputy City Recorder.
Guests in Attendance: Ben Bolte, Greenbike Founder and Executive
Director.
Councilmember Luke and Councilmember Fowler conducted the
meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 4 : 26 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1 . 4:27:06 PM RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING ABOUT THE MAYOR' S
FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS AND AN APPROPRIATIONS RESOLUTION ADOPTING
THE ONE-YEAR ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR 2019-20 . Includes Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, HOME Investment
Partnership Program funding, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
funding, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
funding and approving an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between
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Salt Lake City and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) . View Attachments
Benjamin Luedtke, Jennifer Schumann, David Litvack, and Lani
Eggertsen-Goff briefed the Council with attachments . Mr. Luedtke
summarized prior briefings and said the item was scheduled for
consideration at the formal meeting. He said the Council made
several funding shifts totaling $615, 115 on April 2, 2019 . He said
further discussion was needed between the Administration and
Habitat-for-Humanity. He said the final award amounts from HUD
came in lower than expected (CDBG-$93, 000 and HOME-$114, 000) . He
said ESG and HOPWA came in higher than expected ($8, 000 & $61, 000
respectively) .
Mr. Luedtke reviewed proposed funding shifts to the four
grants based on the final award. He said the Administration looked
at impacts to individual programs/organizations based on Council' s
prior allocations . He said the Administration' s recommendation was
to spread the pain of the decreased awards across more projects,
instead of fewer. Ms . Schumann summarized the Administrations
revised recommendations .
After a lengthy discussion about the appropriate/fairest way
to address the shortage, the following Straw Poll was taken:
Council support to have Staff/Administration calculate an across-
the-board decrease with the exception of two applicants who were
already at the $30, 000 minimum level . All Council Members present
were in favor except Councilmember Johnston, who was opposed.
Mr. Luedtke said for clarification, the Council' s straw poll
(for a percentage decrease) , only applied to CDBG, not the other
three grants/categories . He said it would affect all CDBG
applications while still maximizing the Administration/Public
Services category. Councilmember Luke said Staff would get updated
information back to Council Members prior to the formal meeting.
Further discussion was held on Habitat-for-Humanity. Mr.
Litvack said the proposed federal funding ($250, 000) did not fit
Habitat-for-Humanity' s current funding model . He said he thought
there were other opportunities the City could explore that would
work for them. He said the Administration' s recommendation was to
return the funding to its original source (HOME) .
Discussion was held on NeighborWorks Home Ownership and Real
Estate Development Services . Councilmember Wharton proposed the
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following Straw Poll : That the Council allocate $50 ,000 to be
immediately available for NeighborWorks Home Ownership and Real
Estate Development Services and $50,000 to be in a contingency
reserve to be released to NeighborWorks as of January 1 , 2020 if
the City Administration confirms that NeighborWorks has : 1) Repaid
the amount of federal funds due based on the recent audit, and 2)
Demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City Administration that
any systems or personnel issues have been resolved, or
NeighborWorks demonstrated they were the subject of an independent
outside audit by a recognized auditing firm to confirm that the
issues identified in the recent audit were addressed and that no
new issues existed and should the above requirements not be met,
the funds would lapse for re-appropriation by the City Council
based upon a recommendation from the City Administration (based on
qualified applicants as required by the federal government) .
Councilmember Valdemoros recused herself from the discussion/vote .
Further discussion on the proposal/straw poll included
concern about how/when NeighborWorks spent federal funding
(affecting ability to access new funding) , Council' s ability to
reallocate funds appropriately within a given calendar year,
impact on future applications (potential harm to City) , Council
ongoing support for program, compromising the funding stream by
not spending allocation, and homeownership being fundamental to
the City (find appropriate mechanisms to accomplish
homeownership) .
Councilmember Mendenhall requested a follow-up meeting with
NeighborWorks to fully understand their plan and address concerns
about not compromising the integrity of the City' s CDBG dollars
because funding was not being spent .
Councilmember Luke called for a vote on the Straw Poll . All
Council Members present were in favor, except Councilmember
Valdemoros, who was recused.
#2 . 5:22:03PM RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING ABOUT AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE FINAL BUDGET OF SALT LAKE CITY, INCLUDING THE
EMPLOYMENT STAFFING DOCUMENT, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018-19 . Budget
amendments happen several times each year to reflect adjustments
to the City's budgets, including proposed project additions and
modifications. The proposed amendment includes funding for
reconstructing 1500 South and other street improvements, expanding
the Streets maintenance yard to accommodate the new streets
maintenance crew, and an engineering study of structural and water
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conditions at the Warm Springs Plunge historic building, and
additional funding for City employee tuition reimbursements, among
other changes. View Attachments
Benjamin Luedtke, Mary Beth Thompson, John Vuyk, and Jennifer
McGrath briefed the Council with attachments . Mr. Luedtke
summarized the proposal . Discussion included information on the
Wasatch Springs Plunge study/water analysis and the tuition
reimbursement program. Mr. Luedtke said the Council was scheduled
to take action during the formal meeting.
#3 . 5:25:58PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING ABOUT THE MAYOR' S RECOMMENDED
BUDGET RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2019-20 . View Attachments
Note : Items 3 through 5 were held as one briefing.
#4 . RECEIVE A BRIEFING ABOUT AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD ADOPT
A NEW WATER AND SEWER RATE STRUCTURE. The new rate structure would
coincide with the adoption of the Department of Public Utilities
budget for Fiscal Year 2019-20. View Attachments
#5. RECEIVE A BRIEFING ABOUT A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY (WRF) TO REPLACE
THE CITY' S CURRENT FACILITY. The new WRF construction will be
phased over seven years in order to meet regulatory standards by
2025 and cost an estimated $528 million. The resolution of support
would allow the City's current facility to continue to operate
without meeting the new regulatory standards until the new facility
is completed. The resolution would coincide with the adoption of
the Department of Public Utilities budget for Fiscal Year 2019-
20. View Attachments
Laura Briefer, Jesse Stewart, Jason Brown, Lisa Tarufelli,
Holly Mullen, and Sam Owen briefed the Council with attachments
and a PowerPoint Presentation. Ms . Briefer provided a summary of
the proposed budget. Comments included rate study/structure,
public health/safety, environmental protections, planning for
aging infrastructure replacement, capital asset management, water
conservation master plan update, source water protection update
(Wasatch watersheds) , climate vulnerabilities/adaptation studies,
economic growth support, need for additional staff (17 fulltime
employees) , State/Federal water quality mandates (compliance by
2025) , financing/bond issues, proposed increases to water, sewer,
and stormwater rates, capital improvement program, water treatment
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plant upgrades, meter replacement program, and water conservation
opportunities .
Councilmember Wharton' s questions/concerns about proposed
improvements to the pump/well house on 4th Avenue included public
notification/involvement/feedback, design changes occurring since
2017 (how/when residents were notified) , health/safety issues
about chlorine/fluoride (impact on residents/public) , potential to
move facility (above-ground or below-ground) , and delays in
receiving analysis report (Hansen report) .
Ms . Briefer talked about needing to bring the well up-to-code
to comply with State/Federal requirements (Division of Drinking
Water) , potential to move well to another location, having facility
above or below ground, chlorinating system, and community outreach
efforts, etc. She said a report was prepared showing various
options including costs, risks, and benefits .
Further discussion was held about keeping the public
informed/involved, relocating the well, and potential to introduce
chlorine into the system at a different location. Ms . Briefer said
an open house was planned for May 9, 2019 to update the public
about proposed changes and address constituent concerns . She said
notification would include website updates, social media, and
neighborhood flyers, etc. Councilmember Wharton said he planned to
attend the open house and thought residents would appreciate being
notified as soon as possible.
Councilmember Mendenhall requested a map/photos identifying
all pump houses existing in residential areas of the City.
Note: Councilmember Luke left the meeting at 5 : 51 p.m. and
asked Councilmember Fowler to conduct the remaining items .
Councilmember Fowler asked for an update on how impact fees
were being collected/applied (streamline process to ensure full
utilization) . Ms . Briefer said a new impact fee facilities plan
was prepared but due to rapid growth in service areas, revisions
were already needed. She said her Staff planned to work on updates
during the summer and bring a final plan back to the Council .
Councilmember Fowler asked Staff to follow-up with Public
Utilities regarding Council questions/requests . She said she would
also talk to the Chair/Vice Chair about scheduling a follow-up
discussion.
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Ms . Briefer said her Staff was always available to address
additional questions/concerns . She said at the next briefing she
wanted to delve deeper into the Sewer and Stormwater Utilities and
Street Lighting budget . She said additionally, a lot of information
was available relating to what rates would look like under the new
rate structure . Councilmember Fowler said Staff would inform the
Chair/Vice Chair about the request.
#6. 6:06:22PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING ABOUT THE MAYOR' S RECOMMENDED
BUDGET RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AIRPORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-
20 . View Attachments
Bill Wyatt and Brian Butler briefed the Council with
attachments . Mr. Butler provided a summary of the budget proposal .
Comments included increases being driven by equipment/personnel to
operate Phase I, no budget being proposed for capital improvements
to existing facilities, expanding economy creating competition for
labor (increased costs) , higher janitorial costs, managing growth,
revenue/expense issues, parking rate increases, employee
salaries/benefits (60 new hires) , and equipment purchases and
maintenance.
Councilmember Fowler requested follow-up information about
the parking garage waiver agreement .
#7 . RECEIVE A BRIEFING ABOUT THE LIBRARY BOARD' S RECOMMENDED
OPERATION AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-20 . View
Attachments
Item pulled.
#8 . 6:30:45PM RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM BEN BOLTE, GREENBIKE
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ADDRESSING THE STATUS OF THE BIKE
SHARING PROGRAM IN THE CITY, AS WELL AS HOW CITY FUNDS WOULD BE
USED TO EXPAND THE SERVICE . This update relates to grant
application items on tonight's formal meeting agenda :
• Item B1 - Grant Application: U. S. Department of
Transportation - Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ)
Grant;
• Item B2 - Grant Application: U. S. Department of
Transportation - Transportation Alternatives Program
(TAP) , Bike Share Expansion Grant; and
• Item C2 - Grant Application: U. S. Department of
Transportation, Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
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Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) , Bike Share
Expansion Grant. View Attachments
Ben Bolte and Jonathan Larsen briefed the Council with
attachments . Mr. Bolte provided a summary of statistics, projects,
partnerships, affordable housing, equity connections, upcoming
products, and new expansions . Comments included active
transportation/transit connections, affordability, safety,
quality/reliability, community focus, multi-use transit passes,
multiple partnership agreements, facilitating free transit,
flexible transit options, air-quality issues, marketing campaigns,
and 14-square mile system expansion.
Mr. Bolte said a "Basket Bolt Event" would be held in May,
2019 which was a station-to-station scavenger hunt where
participants filled GREENbike baskets with clothing/hygiene items
which would be donated to the Volunteers of America (VOA) Youth
Resource Center. Councilmember Fowler said she wanted Council
Members to participate and asked about Open Meeting Law
requirements . Ms . Gust-Jenson said although this would be
considered a social event, Staff would work with the Attorney' s
Office to facilitate Council participation and agenda the event,
if necessary.
Councilmember Fowler said she was aware of a pilot program
which dealt with bikes and air quality, and thought a follow-up
discussion should be considered.
#9 . 6:25:35PM INTERVIEW KANIKA WELCH PRIOR TO CONSIDERING HER
APPOINTMENT TO THE ARTS COUNCIL BOARD FOR A TERM ENDING APRIL 23,
2022 . View Attachments
Councilmember Fowler said Ms . Welch' s name was on the Consent
Agenda for formal consideration.
#10 . 6:28:22PM INTERVIEW LARRY COHEN PRIOR TO CONSIDERING HIS
APPOINTMENT TO THE ARTS COUNCIL BOARD FOR A TERM ENDING APRIL 23,
2022 . View Attachments
Councilmember Fowler said Mr. Cohen' s name was on the Consent
Agenda for formal consideration .
#11 . 6:43:20PM 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
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Council business, including but not limited to:
• Upcoming Youth State of the City Report; and
• Scheduling items.
See File M 19-5 for announcements .
#12 . REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
No report/discussion.
#13 . CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN
KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE §52-4-205 FOR ANY ALLOWED PURPOSE .
Item not held.
The Work Session meeting adjourned at 6 : 44 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 pursuant to Utah Code §52-4-203 (2) (b) .
This document along with the digital recording constitute the
official minutes of the City Council Work Session meeting held
April 23, 2019 .
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