05/14/2019 - Work Session - Minutes MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, MAY 14 , 2019
The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, in
Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State
Street.
In Attendance: Council Members Andrew Johnston, Amy Fowler, Chris
Wharton, Erin Mendenhall, Charlie Luke, James Rogers, and Analia
Valdemoros .
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Council Executive
Director; Jennifer Bruno, Council Executive Deputy Director; David
Litvack, Mayor' s Deputy Chief of Staff; Lynn Pace, Acting City
Attorney; Kira Luke, Council Policy Analyst; Allison Rowland,
Council Policy Analyst; Nick Tarbet, Council Policy Analyst; Brian
Fullmer, Council Policy Analyst; Felicia Baca, Arts Division
Director; Sam Owen, Council Policy Analyst; Sylvia Richards,
Council Policy Analyst; Benjamin Luedtke, Council Policy Analyst;
David Gellner, Principal Planner; Wayne Mills, Planning Manager;
Doug Dansie, Senior Planner; Molly Robinson, Planning Manager;
Mary Beth Thompson, Chief Financial Officer; John Vuyk, City Budget
Director; Lisa McCarver, Finance Director of Revenue and
Collections; Jonathan Larsen, Transportation Director; Lara
Fritts, Economic Development Director; Ben Kolendar, Economic
Development Deputy Director; and DeeDee Robinson, Deputy City
Recorder.
Guests in Attendance: Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake &
Sandy: Mike Devries, General Manager; and Tom Godfrey, Chair/Board
of Trustees .
Councilmember Luke presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 3 : 38 p.m.
3:38:28 PM Councilmember Valdemoros took a moment of personal
privilege and said she brought a few personal items (a Yerba mate
gourd/drink and poncho) that symbolized the many cultures within
Salt Lake City and Utah. She spoke about the commencement of the
Living Traditions Festival and thanked the Salt Lake City Arts
Council for supporting diversity in the City/fostering different
cultures/countries represented at the festival .
AGENDA ITEMS
#1 . 3:39:56PM BRIEFING REGARDING AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD AMEND
THE ZONING MAP PERTAINING TO A PARCEL OF PROPERTY, LOCATED AT
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APPROXIMATELY 1805 SOUTH MAIN STREET, TO REZONE THE PARCEL FROM
BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT (BP) TO CORRIDOR COMMERCIAL DISTRICT (CC) .
The applicant, Alliance House Inc. , is requesting the amendment to
replace the existing building with a larger, multi-family
apartment building to serve the clients of Alliance House. The
existing building has been operating as a non-conforming use, as
the BP zoning district does not allow multi-family or residential
uses. No specific site development proposal has been submitted at
this time. View Attachments
Brian Fullmer, David Gellner, and Molly Robinson briefed the
Council with attachments . Discussion was held regarding size of
property, proposed property uses, Master Plan considerations, and
zoning compatibility.
Councilmember Mendenhall said the Alliance House proposal was
unique/benefitted the neighborhood and she was in support of their
application. Councilmember Johnston said he was also in support of
their application.
#2 . 3:46:01PM BRIEFING REGARDING AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD AMEND
THE TABLE OF PERMITTED AND CONDITIONAL USES FOR DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS
PERTAINING TO SELF-STORAGE (SECTION 21A.33 . 050) . The proposal
would allow self-storage units in the D-1 Central Business District
as long as the self-storage is limited to basement/below ground
levels. Self-storage units would not be allowed on the ground or
upper levels of the building for commercial spaces. View
Attachments
Nick Tarbet, Wayne Mills, and Doug Dansie briefed the Council
with attachments . Discussion was held regarding minimization of
impact/activity on sidewalk level and allowance for a permitted
use within the basement levels only (with the exception of leasing
offices in public spaces) .
Councilmember Mendenhall inquired if the Fire Department had
any concerns/interest with this type of application. Mr. Dansie
said they did not express any specific concerns . He said the
application had been routed through Building Services/Fire Review
and no issues were flagged.
Councilmember Valdemoros asked if any community members
voiced their support/disapproval for the proposed use. Mr. Dansie
said to his recollection only one had offered support and there
was no significant opposition/controversy.
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#3. 3:50:21PM RECEIVE AN OVERVIEW FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF
THE MAYOR' S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR SALT LAKE CITY FOR FISCAL YEAR
(FY) 2019-2020 . View Attachments
Mary Beth Thompson, John Vuyk, Lisa McCarver and Jonathan
Larsen briefed the Council with attachments . Discussion was held
regarding total expense overview, FY 2019/2020 revenue overview,
revenue changes (General Fund) , parking fine changes (FY 2020) , FY
2019/2020 General Fund expense, FY 2019/2020 expense major changes
(General Fund) , Funding Our Future budgeting (housing, transit,
public safety, and infrastructure) , new funding (1/4 cent sales
tax for transportation) , FY 2019/2020 General Fund balance
projection, FY 2018/2019 revenue projection, property tax revenue,
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) values by Council District
(residential/commercial properties) , historical sales tax
receipts, sales tax receipts by sector (gross point of sale) ,
percentage of change in retail trade (prior year vs . current year
as received) , percentage of change in accommodation and food
services (prior year vs . current year as received) , percentage of
change in wholesale trade (prior year vs . current year as
received) , building permit revenue (budget vs . actual) , and
parking revenue (budget vs . actual) .
Councilmember Luke inquired if community outreach had been
conducted regarding the parking meter fee increase . Ms . McCarver
said there had not been any outreach so far. Councilmember Luke
said this was a significant increase ($ . 50 increase per hour) to
propose without any community input.
Councilmember Johnston said he wanted a future discussion
with the Council regarding an ideal Fund Balance threshold (he
suggested 140) . He said the sales tax currently exceeded property
taxes, making the budget more volatile to the economy. He said if
the economy slowed, the City would be subject to greater risk (than
previous years) for cuts . Councilmember Mendenhall said she looked
forward to future discussions/proposals on where money could be
found to build the Fund Balance.
Councilmember Luke inquired about the 9-Line/Folsom urban
trails projects budget allocation of $2 . 1 million (if projects
were slated to begin soon or building the fund for future work) .
Mr. Larsen said the amount was the short fall to complete the two
projects . He said each project needed roughly $1 million to be
completed correctly.
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#4 . 4:33:09PM RECEIVE AN OVERVIEW FROM COUNCIL STAFF OF THE
MAYOR' S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR SALT LAKE CITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-
2020 . View Attachments
Jennifer Bruno and Benjamin Luedtke briefed the Council with
attachments . Discussion was held regarding base sales tax revenue,
new growth property tax revenue/forthcoming truth-in-taxation
discussions, General Fund fees for services, expiration of the
West Temple Gateway Redevelopment Agency (RDA) project area, new
sales tax options, property tax stabilization, judgement levy (one
time property tax increase) , increase to parking meter
rates/fines, franchise tax decrease, fines/forfeitures decrease,
parking permits decrease, water/sewer rate increases, General Fund
staffing increases, Transit Master Plan implementation, items
relating to homelessness (consolidating budget into Communities
and Neighborhoods Department) , Public Safety increases, affordable
housing, sustainable funding for infrastructure, overall fiscal
health of the City, legislative intents of the
Council/Administrative responses, one-time revenue vs . one-time
expenses, compensation, golf, fleet, health insurance, retirement,
and objectives/measurements for each City department.
Councilmember Mendenhall said information regarding current
maintenance costs vs . the proposed $4 million increase for fleet
would be helpful through budget discussions with newer Council
Members . Councilmember Luke said he wanted to see what type of
vehicles the Police Department could obtain with the proposed $4
million (hybrid sedans vs . hybrid sport utility vehicles) .
#5. 5:07:14PM BRIEFING REGARDING THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-20 . View
Attachments
Allison Rowland, Sylvia Richards, Lara Fritts, Ben Kolendar,
and Felicia Baca briefed the Council with attachments . Discussion
was held regarding budget changes (travel reduction, salary
changes, and programming) , pilot programs, high level
considerations for FY 2020, business survey (Salt Lake City' s Net
Promoter Score - three years prior through current) , metrics (from
FY 2017 to FY 2019 including FY 2020 goals) , FY 2019 WINS (Written
Impact Narrative Statements) from new businesses that received
investment assistance from the City, upcoming business development
events, Arts Council items (Living Traditions, Twilight Concert
Series, SLC Art Wall, Busker Fest on Regent Street) , and future
goals .
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Councilmember Mendenhall said she wanted more information
regarding which locally owned and downtown businesses were being
surveyed for the Salt Lake City Net Promotor Survey. Ms . Fritts
said the Council would soon receive an overview of the survey
conducted, and which businesses responded.
Councilmember Mendenhall inquired if more could be discussed
during the budget process regarding public art installations
located within the two new Homeless Resource Centers . Ms . Baca
said current resources were at capacity; however, they could look
to prioritize the ability to execute/maintain new projects .
Councilmember Fowler said she hoped further policy discussions
could be held to incorporate more public art for new
construction/existing structures in the near future.
Councilmember Fowler inquired about the lack of new full-time
employees requested within the proposed budget . Ms . Fritts said
they believed it was important to continue to build the arts
programming/develop research capabilities rather than request
additional staff.
#6. 5:56:40PM Dinner Break
#7 . 6:27:57 PM BRIEFING REGARDING THE PROPOSED METROPOLITAN
WATER DISTRICT BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 . View Attachments
Sam Owen, Mike Devries, and Tom Godfrey briefed the Council
with attachments . Discussion was held regarding background of
Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake & Sandy (MWDSLS) ,
customers of MWDSLS, service areas, water sources, agency
relationships, surplus water contracts, key facilities, FY 2020
budget/revenue, member city water sales (rate history/historical
usage) , proposed FY 2020 water rate charges to member cities, water
sales to others, property taxes, capital assessments,
expenditures, participation in a Strategic Energy Management
Cohort, debt service, and current budget schedule.
Councilmember Mendenhall inquired about the Bear River
diversion project and how the MWDSLS viewed itself (as a steward
of this resource) , and the potential impacts
(health/environmental) of that type of project on Salt Lake City.
Mr. Devries said there were concerns (on Salt Lake City' s behalf)
regarding the governance/water quality of the water supply if it
were to converge with the Jordan Aqueduct System. He said the
MWDSLS (when/where there was available water) planned to assist
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Jordan Valley with those available supplies in an effort to
possibly defer/postpone the consideration for the Bear River
diversion project. Councilmember Mendenhall said the probable
depletion of The Great Salt Lake as a result from the diversion
could cause major environmental concerns for District 1 and the
downtown area. She inquired how MWDSLS related to those types of
broader conversations . Mr. Devries said the health of the Lake was
essential to air quality/the watershed and played a key role in
water supply to the Wasatch Front. He said (as a concern of MWDSLS)
they would do anything in their power to mitigate those type of
concerns in any way they reasonably could. Councilmember
Mendenhall said she would be supportive of any exploration to
collaborate/communicate with other water districts regarding
supply, conservation efforts, and projected needs .
#8 . 7:01:42PM RECEIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE
FUNDING OUR FUTURE INITIATIVE . THE UPDATE WILL ALSO INCLUDE A
REVIEW OF THE MAYOR' S RECOMMENDED FUNDING ALLOCATIONS FOR THE
UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR 2019-2020 . Funding Our Future is an initiative
to address four critical needs: public safety, affordable housing,
improved streets, and better transit options. The Council approved
a 0. 5o sales tax increase in May 2018. During the City's annual
budget process, funding will be allocated from anticipated sales
tax revenue to each of those needs. View Attachments
Benjamin Luedtke and Kira Luke briefed the Council with
attachments . Discussion was held regarding past/current
allocations, conditional/contingent appropriations, and
legislative intents .
Councilmember Fowler requested that Administrative Staff
respond to any unanswered legislative intents within the Budget
Book.
Councilmember Wharton said he wanted to learn more about park
safety and utilizing police officers as rangers : how the program
was being planned out, how decisions were reached regarding the
placement under the Police Department, and how that influenced the
park rangers . Councilmember Mendenhall said there was a lot of
community outreach regarding the park ranger concept and said the
look and feel (attire) of the new park rangers mattered to the
community. She said there was much more the Council could discuss
regarding this issue.
Councilmember Valdemoros asked Staff for more detailed
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information regarding the goals/outcomes of the five new/three
existing community programs launched by the Housing and
Neighborhoods Department (HAND) : New House 20 Program, Shared
Housing Program, Land Discounts and Financing, Incentive Rent
Assistance Program, Service Model Program for Most Vulnerable
Populations, Community Land Trust, Fee Waiver Program for
Affordable Housing Developers, and Down Payment Assistance.
Councilmember Mendenhall asked Staff for more information
pertaining to: Incentivized Rental Assistance Program (who would
be potential recipients) , Landlord Insurance Pilot (what evidence
Salt Lake City obtained for the basis of the request) , and Building
a More Equitable City (what the $300, 000 amount would be used for) .
STANDING ITEMS
#9. 7:20:33PM 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 .
Item not held.
#10 . 7:20:40 PM REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
No discussion was held.
#11 . 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 : 20 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) .
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This document along with the digital recording constitute the
official minutes of the City Council Work Session meeting held May
14, 2019 .
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