11/17/2020 - Work Session - MinutesMINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
20 - 1
The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday November 17, 2020,
in an Electronic Meeting, pursuant to Chair determination Salt
Lake City Emergency Proclamation No. 2 of 2020(2)(b).
In Attendance: Council Members Andrew Johnston, Amy Fowler, Chris
Wharton, Daniel Dugan, Darin Mano, and James Rogers.
Absent: Councilmember Valdemoros.
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Council Executive
Director; Jennifer Bruno, Council Deputy Director; Erin
Mendenhall, Mayor; Rachel Otto, Mayor’s Chief of Staff; Katherine
Lewis, City Attorney; Ben Kolendar, Economic Development Deputy
Director; Allison Rowland, Council Public Policy Analyst; Mary
Beth Thompson, Chief Financial Officer; Nick Tarbet, Council
Senior Public Policy Analyst; Karl Lieb, Fire Chief; Lani
Eggertsen-Goff, Housing & Neighborhood Development Director; Lisa
Shaffer, Mayor’s Chief Administrative Officer; Amanda Lau, Council
Public Engagement & Communications Specialist; Debra Alexander,
Human Resources Director; Daniel Rip, Housing & Neighborhood
Development Policy & Program Manager; Cindy Lou Trishman, City
Recorder; Blake Thomas, Community & Neighborhoods Director; Robert
Nutzman, Council Administrative Assistant; Benjamin Luedtke,
Council Policy Analyst; and DeeDee Robinson, Deputy City Recorder.
Guests in Attendance: Jessica Thesing, Urban Affairs Director,
Downtown Alliance (Item #4).
Councilmember Wharton presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 2:09 p.m. 2:09:04 PM
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. 2:10:29 PM Informational: Updates Relating to Mayor’s
Proclamations Declaring Local Emergencies for COVID-19, March
Earthquake, and Windstorm. The Council will receive an update from
the Administration about the Mayor’s emergency declarations
relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the March 18th earthquake in
the Salt Lake Valley and the September 8th windstorm. As part of
the update, the Council may discuss public health and other public
safety, policy and budget issues stemming from the emergency
declarations. The Council may also receive information or updates
from organizations or experts related to the emergency responses
and coordination, including but not limited to earthquake damage
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
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to the City, the functioning of the Emergency Operations Center
(EOC), City response and aid, and the status of City buildings.
Mayor Mendenhall briefed the Council regarding:
COVID-19 Updates:
• As COVID-19 cases were rising, current focus was continuing to
ensure employees were safe, getting residents/businesses the
needed access to all available resources, and providing
information on the pandemic on a continual basis.
• An effective vaccine would soon be available, and City wanted
to involve the community well before vaccine availability
ensuring questions could be answered as well as an established
feedback loop for any community member to find vaccine
information therefore increasing vaccine utilization.
• More information would be provided to the Council on
State/County plans for distribution once obtained.
Business support efforts/CARES funding:
• City recognizing restaurants appeared to be the hardest hit
during pandemic – with zero federal support on the horizon (for
winter) - fears that local establishments might suffer/go out
of business.
• Studying the potential for temporary outdoor dining options
through the winter months – allowing for expansion of operations
with temporary structures for patrons to enjoy outdoor dining -
details would be finalized this week and Council would be
notified before any new proclamation was issued.
Digital Equity Update:
• City received 11 pieces of “smart furniture” - ordered in June
2020 and funded through Public Services, Youth & Family Services
Division, and Information Management Systems (IMS).
• Two “smart furniture” pieces would be installed at the Sorensen
Unity Center this month with additional areas across the City
being currently mapped out for installation.
• “Smart furniture” utilized solar power and would provide free
public Wi-Fi and device charging once installed. (Planned
installation of all furniture was throughout this winter and
ready for use in the early spring).
• Internet Backhaul System was installed on the mountain/connected
to Plaza 349 last week.
• Teams currently working to map out areas of the City for
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
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broadcasting free Wi-Fi - first three anticipated pilot areas:
Liberty, Pioneer, and Jordan River Parks.
• City Connect Network was now available at Sorensen Unity Center,
Youth & Family Administration Offices, and Plaza 349. (Rose Park
Connect, Glendale Connect, and Salt Lake City Library computer
labs were currently closed.)
• Administration was seeking input from Council regarding City
partners to provide additional indoor computer lab locations
this winter.
• Popup labs being provided for constituents to sign up for
programs like stimulus checks - IMS providing Wi-Fi hotspot,
printer, and laptops for the events.
• Digital Navigators (part of Budget Amendment No.4) - IMS
partnered with Youth & Family Services for five apprentice
positions (trained by IMS/Youth City Staff in computer support
skills) to be deployed physically/virtually to assist with
digital literacy/popup labs/other activities.
• Efforts were being made for ownership of City technology assets
- ensuring used equipment could be donated to needs in the
community.
#2. 2:18:17 PM Informational: Updates on Relieving the
Condition of People Experiencing Homelessness. The Council will
hear updates and discuss issues pertaining to relieving the
condition of people experiencing homelessness in neighborhoods
throughout Salt Lake City.
Rachel Otto briefed the Council regarding partnership with
Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness/County/City
partners for winter shelter options (priority/goal being a non-
congregate/hotel type setting), Community Commitment Program
recently ended third week of daily outreach with service provider
partners in the 500 West area (out of 166 persons encountered, 40
were willing to engage in conversation with service providers, and
16 expressed interest in shelter options), COVID-19 proving to be
a challenge in the shelter system, outreach team making priority
to place couples together in motels until more shelter options
became available, not proceeding to remove encampments until
assurances were made for enough shelter space, and continuing to
evaluate Community Commitment program/ability of service providers
to staff the outreach efforts.
#3. 2:23:53 PM Informational: Updates on Racial Equity and
Policing. The Council will hold a discussion about recent efforts
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
20 - 4
on various projects City staff are working on related to racial
equity and policing in the City. The conversation may include
issues of community concern about race, equity, and justice in
relation to law enforcement policies, procedures, budget, and
ordinances. Discussion may include:
• An update or report on the newly created Commission on
Racial Equity in Policing; and
• Other project updates or discussion.
Allison Rowland and Benjamin Luedtke briefed the Council
regarding Racial Equity in Policing Commission (REP):
• Next meeting was scheduled for November 18, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. -
agenda included reports from the subcommittee and youth
subcommittee meetings
• Plans for a listening session in the coming weeks - providing
opportunity for community feedback/involvement
• Reminder that meetings were hosted by the Salt Lake City Library
and were open to the public (also available on YouTube channel:
“SLC REP Commission”
• Agendas for each meeting were available on the Salt Lake City
Boards webpage and a phone line for any questions 801 535-7644
Updates on the Police Department Audit, including:
• Selection committee of internal City employees met yesterday
with one bid being well received
• Meeting scheduled for next Monday for members of the selection
committee to meet with the auditing firm leadership
• Items identified in the audit scope for potential adjustments
were draft body-camera ordinance, analysis of police officer
turn-over, civil service commission repeal, and the Mobile
Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) at the University of Utah as an
alternative model responding to mental health crises
• Staff working on the next round of public engagement for the
audit (to run concurrently with the consultant’s audit work) -
ideas being explored were an anonymous feedback mechanism (for
members of the public & City employees), small group meetings
facilitated for interested parties, regular updates to the
Council website (a dedicated webpage for the audit to be updated
as it progressed), and updates to be sent to the REP commission
email list (containing over 4,500 email addresses).
Straw Poll: Support for moving forward with the audit firm
selection process (and engagement letter) before the next Council
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
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meeting. Council Members Fowler, Mano, Rogers, Wharton, Johnston,
and Dugan were in favor. Councilmember Valdemoros was absent for
the vote.
Councilmember Johnston requested Staff work with Council
leadership to work out a timeframe for the zero-based budgeting
process.
#4. 2:40:55 PM Ordinance: Budget Amendment No. 4 for Fiscal Year
(FY) 2020-2021 Follow-up. The Council will receive a follow-up
briefing about an ordinance that would amend the final budget of
Salt Lake City, including the employment staffing document, for
Fiscal Year 2020-21. Budget amendments happen several times each
year to reflect adjustments to the City’s budgets, including
proposed project additions and modifications. The proposal
includes:
• $1.5 million as part of a proposed expansion to the
Accelerator program ($500 prepaid debit cards in direct aid
to residents ineligible for CARES Act stimulus checks);
• a new apprentice program pairing high school students and
young adults with City employees;
• additional funding for the enhanced YouthCity program;
• homeless camp clean-up funding;
• a downtown ambassadors program expansion into the Rio Grande
neighborhood and North Temple area;
• authorizing the third round of CARES Act funding the City may
receive in the coming weeks to cover payroll expenses in the
Fire Department and 911 Department;
• and other items. View Attachments
Benjamin Luedtke and Jessica Thesing (Downtown Alliance)
briefed the Council and discussion was held regarding Item E-19
Downtown Ambassador expansion: how it overlapped with the Police
Bike Squad, metrics for the expansion (determining if the program
was successful), the Ambassador Program tracked wellness checks,
service provider referrals, and provided citizen/visitor
assistance, all calls made to/from the Ambassador program were
reported weekly/monthly/quarterly, no specific metrics for the
pilot area on North Temple – but could be provided along with any
other additional metrics (including crime reports/other items of
Council interest) as requested by the Council, The Rio Grande
Ambassador expansion having no funding to continue into FY 2022
unless new funding was identified in the next annual budget,
information regarding Rio Grande Ambassador expansion alternative
options (including necessary funding, levels of service,
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
20 - 6
days/hours of operation, how many Ambassadors would be needed for
each area), and item E-20 Enhanced Homeless Camp Cleanup: the
Portland Loos (installed by the former Road Home shelter) were now
operational with an Advantage Services attendant at the gate, and
Public Lands having indicated availability of 27 portable
restrooms/vault restrooms that were open in City parks/natural
lands and would be open throughout the winter.
Councilmember Fowler inquired what the funding ($760,110 from
CARES Act Second round) for E-20 would cover. Lani Eggertsen-Goff
said this was an extension of existing work being done (existing
contract for portable restroom attendance, bio-waste clean-up,
trash clean-up, and some power washing) into the remainder of the
fiscal year.
Councilmember Fowler said, due to the name/title of E-20, it
might be misconstrued by the public as to what services the City
was providing with the funding and inquired if the name/title could
be changed. Rachel Otto agreed that it was mislabeled and said the
name/titling should have instead been referred to as the enhanced
neighborhood cleaning (Community Commitment Program), and the
intent was to provide increased cleaning into neighborhoods where
not only people were camping, but to help businesses and residents
with cleaning efforts on public/private property. She added the
Council was recently provided an additional breakdown of expenses
for this item.
#5. 3:07:17 PM Ordinance: Budget Amendment No. 5 for Fiscal Year
(FY) 2020-2021. The Council will be briefed about an ordinance
that would amend the final budget of Salt Lake City, including the
employment staffing document, for Fiscal Year 2020-21. Budget
amendments happen several times each year to reflect adjustments
to the City’s budgets, including proposed project additions and
modifications. The proposal includes:
• accepting $7.1 million in U.S. Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) CARES Act grants which will be awarded to specific
community organizations through a separate, open, and
competitive process;
• adding temporary lighting near homeless resource centers;
• repairs to City sidewalks damaged during the September 8
windstorm;
• demolition of the Glendale water park
• $20.5 million from the next issuance of the $87 million voter-
approved Streets Reconstruction Bond;
• and other items. View Attachments
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
20 - 7
Benjamin Luedtke, Blake Thomas, Mary Beth Thompson, Ben
Kolendar, Rachel Otto, Katherine Lewis, Cindy Lou Trishman, Debra
Alexander, and Daniel Rip briefed the Council and discussed the
following:
• If Budget Amendment was approved as proposed by the
Administration, Fund Balance would drop to 11.7% ($4 M below
the 13% target but staying above the recommended 10% minimum
threshold)
• A-1 Animal Services County Contract ($44,192 – General Fund)
• A-2 Sustainability – Pick Up Truck ($55,000 – Refuse Fund)
• A-3 Sustainability – (7) Certified Natural Gas (CNG) Refuse
Packers ($2.6 M – Refuse Fund)
• A-4 Public Safety – Costs related to the Vice-Presidential
Debate ($315,944 – General Fund)
• A-5 CARES Act Funding from U.S. Housing & Urban Development
(HUD) ($7,138,203 from HUD) including (3) new temporary/part-
time employees for the life of the one-time CARES HUD-CV dollars
• A-6 Consumer Protection Analyst (Budget Neutral in FY21)
• A-7 Economic Development Deputy Director Funding ($34,878 –
General Fund)
• A-10 Temporary Lighting Near Homeless Resource Centers ($33,000
– General Fund)
• A-11 Department of Air Quality (DAQ) – Lawnmower, Snowblower,
String Trimmer Exchange ($250,000 – General Fund) allowing
residents to exchange gas-powered machines for electric
equipment
• A-12 Attorney’s Office New Positions ($184,075 – General Fund)
(1) Senior City Attorney and (1) Administrative Assistant
• A-14 50% Renewable Energy for Municipal Operations Project
($45,000 – Refuse Fund)
• A-15 Restore Human Resource Department Deputy Director FTE
($81,317 - General Fund/$14,350 - Risk Fund)
• A-16 Restore Contract Specialist Funding ($20,892 – General
Fund)
• A-17 Right of Way Repairs from September 8 Windstorm ($662,500
– General Fund) including sidewalks, curb/gutter, driveway
approaches, and concrete streets
• A-18 Glendale Water Park Demolition, Fencing and Security
($855,000 – General Fund) including community outreach and plans
for Parks & Public Lands to conduct a visioning exercise soon
to contemplate/analyze potential future uses
• D-3 General Obligation 2020A Streets Reconstruction Bond ($20.5
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
20 - 8
M – Bond Issuance)
• D-5 FY 2021 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Landfill
Construction and Planning Projects ($15,000,000 – CIP) budget
funds were a pass through and fully reimbursed by the Landfill
to the City
• D-6 HUD Grant Recaptures ($37,535 from miscellaneous grants and
$1,250,212 from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)).
Councilmember Johnston inquired about any overage of funds
above the 10% threshold of Fund Balance being used for the next
FY. Mary Beth Thompson said the current projections were from last
year and final Fund Balance totals would not come until mid to end
of December and hoped that residual funds would be available for
the next FY. Mayor Mendenhall stated this was what Fund Balance
was for (when what was planned did not come through); the City’s
ability to maintain all City services and employees with no
furloughs, with focus on maintaining the wellness of the City’s
corporation through the current uncertainty/unpredictability.
Unanimous Straw Polls: (Councilmember Valdemoros absent)
• Support for the allocation of $2.6 M from the Refuse Fund for
(7) CNG Refuse Packers.
• Support for the allocation of $184,075 from the General Fund
for two new Attorney’s Office FTEs.
• Support for the allocation of $15,000,000 for CIP Landfill
Construction and Planning Project.
• Support for the allocation of $55,000 from the Refuse Fund for
a pickup truck for Sustainability.
#6. Tentative Break
#7. 4:21:42 PM Ordinances: Creating an Appeal Hearing Officer
System by Repealing Civil Service Commission and Employee Appeals
Board. The Council will be briefed about a proposal to replace
both the Civil Service Commission and the Employee Appeals Board
with an appeal hearing officer system. The proposal also includes
a new chapter in Salt Lake City Code to establish competitive
merit-based recruitment and promotion processes for the Fire
Department and the Police Department. View Attachments
Benjamin Luedtke provided a brief introduction to the item,
described the ordinances (and possible revisions) involved, and
indicated this was the first briefing on the item with a public
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
20 - 9
hearing scheduled for December 1, 2020.
Rachel Otto, Katherine Lewis, Debra Alexander, and Karl Lieb
provided information regarding drafting the proposed ordinances,
origination/purpose of the Civil Service Commission (serving
Police and Fire employees only and separate from the Memorandum of
Understanding/negotiations between Administration, City Council,
and Unions), the proposed Employee Appeals Board would serve civil
service positions as well as merit employees, benefits included
expediting recruitment/promotion for civil service employees and
increasing the City’s ability to attract diverse candidates into
leadership roles in both the Fire and Police Departments, and
current red-lined ordinance drafts reflected discussions with
Local 81 Fire Union, addressing their concerns.
#8. 4:38:55 PM Ordinance: Demolition of Dangerous or Boarded
Buildings Follow-up Briefing. The Council will receive a follow-
up briefing on changes to the City’s Demolition ordinance. The
proposed changes are intended to streamline the process for
demolitions on commercial and residential properties, remove the
requirement for a replacement use, landscape plan and bond, and
provide clarity to the enforcement process for boarded buildings.
Chapters 18.48, 18.64 and 2.21.030 of the Salt Lake City Code will
be amended as part of this proposal. The continued public hearing
for this item is scheduled during the November 17th formal meeting.
The Council may consider taking action after the public hearing.
*Note, a previous agenda occurrence incorrectly listed Chapter
18.84 instead of 18.48. View Attachments
Nick Tarbet provided a brief introduction to the item,
indicated there was a public hearing this evening with the Council
having the option to adopt the ordinance, and reviewed answers
from the Administration to previous questions from the Council
relating to additional fees for Police/Fire services, persistent
nuisance buildings, per building vs. per parcel, etc.
STANDING ITEMS
#9. Report of the Chair and Vice Chair
Item not held.
#10. 4:48:24 PM Report and Announcements from the Executive
Director. Report of the Executive Director, including a review of
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
20 - 10
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:
• City Boards and Commissions Vacancies; and
• Scheduling items
See announcements.
#11. Tentative Closed Session. The Council will consider a
motion to enter into Closed Session for any specific purpose under
Section 52-4-205.
Item not held.
The Work Session meeting adjourned at 4:54 p.m.
Minutes Approved: July 13, 2021
_______________________________
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
November 17, 2020.
dr
Chris Wharton (Jul 20, 2021 17:39 MDT)
Cindy Trishman (Jul 20, 2021 19:57 MDT)
11-17-2020 WS Minutes - Approved July 13,
2021 Formal Meeting
Final Audit Report 2021-07-21
Created:2021-07-20
By:DeeDee Robinson (deedee.robinson@slcgov.com)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAHTWwjOeLon6krjTxJEDvsG5UQr8vArZP
"11-17-2020 WS Minutes - Approved July 13, 2021 Formal Meet
ing" History
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