08/11/2020 - Work Session - MinutesMINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, August 11, 2020,
in an Electronic Meeting, pursuant to Salt Lake City Emergency
Proclamation No. 2 of 2020(2)(b).
In Attendance: Council Members Chris Wharton, James Rogers, Andrew
Johnston, Amy Fowler, Analia Valdemoros, Daniel Dugan, and Darin
Mano.
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Council Executive
Director; Jennifer Bruno, Council Executive Deputy Director;
Rachel Otto, Mayor’s Chief of Staff; Katherine Lewis, City
Attorney; Allison Rowland, Council Public Policy Analyst; Lisa
Shaffer, Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff; Nick Norris, Planning
Director; Samuel Owen, Council Policy Analyst; Russell Weeks,
Council Policy Analyst; John Anderson, Planning Manager; Robert
Nutzman, Council Administrative Assistant; Jennifer McGrath,
Community and Neighborhoods Deputy Director; Benjamin Luedtke,
Council Policy Analyst; Kaletta Lynch, Mayor’s Executive
Assistant; Rick Rasmussen, Police Civilian Review Board
Administrator; Jonathan Larsen, Transportation Director; Lewis
Kogan, Trails and Natural Lands Division Director; DeeDee
Robinson, Deputy City Recorder; and Scott Crandall, Deputy City
Recorder, were present.
Councilmember Wharton presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 2:05 p.m. 2:05:52 PM
AGENDA ITEMS
#1.2:07:07 PM Informational: Updates Relating to Mayor’s Proclamations Declaring Local Emergencies for COVID-19, March Earthquake, and Recent Protests. 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 recent protests in the City. As part of
the update, the Council may discuss public health and other public
safety, policy and budget issues stemming from the emergency
events. The Administration may also provide information or updates
from organizations or experts related to the emergency responses
and coordination, including but not limited to earthquake damage
to the City, the functioning of the Emergency Operations Center
(EOC), City response and aid, and the status of City buildings.
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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Rachel Otto and Lisa Shaffer briefed the Council regarding
the following issues/requests from the Council:
• COVID-19 Updates: extension of Emergency Declaration, long-
range plan rolling out September 1, 2020, data regarding areas
of the City with highest impacts, forthcoming information
regarding CARES funding allocations, and update on modified City
operations (upcoming release of the Readiness Action
Modification Plan – RAMP).
• Status/updates on encampment mitigation/abatements/clean-up
efforts in the City, short-term solutions, partnership
opportunities, contracted providers, etc.
• Launch of the Rose Park Connect/Digital Equity efforts, and
impending additional Wi-Fi service provided at the Sorensen
Unity Center.
Councilmember Johnston said he was aware of issues regarding
daytime pop-up sheltering (separate from over-night camping) on
North Temple, he commended local businesses for their own clean-
up efforts, and said more City resources were needed immediately
throughout the next eight weeks (to October) for supporting the
winter overflow shelters. He expressed frustration with recent
comments made by a Utah State Representative that the City was not
doing its part on following up on Operation Rio Grande (assisting
with the Rio Grande area), and felt the City was left to carry the
brunt of the burden (over all other cities on the Wasatch Front).
He added that small businesses were being disproportionately
affected (by homeless encampments, needing clean-up of waste, etc.
– effectively driving business away) in some areas of the City and
needed immediate support (City resources), focusing on the Ball
Park, 100 South, downtown, and North Temple areas. Straw Poll: Support for Administration to provide a budget
proposal as soon as possible for increasing services (more
frequent) with Advantage Services for clean-ups in the North Temple
area and Districts 4 & 5, (including additional portable
restrooms), and begin an increased level of service (clean-ups) as
soon as possible.
Councilmember Fowler provided a statement of clarity for the
straw poll and said this would express support for the
Administration to work with Staff to take the necessary steps to
increase services as soon as possible along with providing
information regarding time-frames (how soon), and return to the
Council with short-term, mid-term, and long-term proposals
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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(sustainable increased frequency of services). All Council Members
were in favor.
#2.2:59:00 PM Informational: Updates on Racial Equity and Policing. The Council will hold a discussion about recent efforts
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:
• Review of the current Police Civilian Review Board (PCRB)
ordinance and a discussion of potential changes;
• 3:56:45 PM An update or report on the newly created Commission on
Racial Equity in Policing (REP); and
• Other project updates or discussion. View Attachments
3:57:24 PM Kaletta Lynch briefed the Council regarding updates
on the REP Commission, including:
• Commission began with six core commission members (selected to
lead in the structure of the commission)
• Commission members met in July to discuss criteria for selection
of additional members, ensuring new members represented diverse
communities, backgrounds, expertise, and different viewpoints
• Current total of 18 commission members, looking to add one
additional member, as well as a Youth sub-committee (consisting
of 10 members – two being a part of the larger commission), for
a total of 21 voting members of the commission
• A Joint Resolution would be forthcoming for the Council’s
review/decision, establishing the commission as a public body
under the Open Public Meetings Act
• Commission was currently meeting to establish meeting logistics;
ensuring the process established aligned with Open Public
Meetings Act, allowing for transparency, and held in a public
platform for all to join (no barriers to access for the public),
and working to establish designated times within the meetings
for public members to speak
• Requests for Proposal (RFP) Facilitator process/applications
closed on July 15 (nine applications received) and review
committee chose three companies to move forward to the next step
of the process
• Email established for the public to provide input prior to
public meetings. (REPCommission@slcgov.com)
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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Allison Rowland provided information regarding the process of
the PCRB, the structure of the PCRB was compliant with State law
and provided a summary of issues/concerns/follow-up brought forth
by Council Members.
Katherine Lewis provided information regarding specific
ordinance language for subpoenas (Mayor having authority to compel
a witness or City employee to meet with/be interviewed by PCRB
Administrator), witnesses and City employees could be subpoenaed
under the current ordinance language, Council having authority to
re-evaluate the panel (five members from full board, new panel
selected for each new case) vs. board (14 members) structure
changes within the ordinance, and requirements/prohibitions for
serving on the board.
Rick Rasmussen discussed the interview process, and provided
the following information:
• PCRB never having to mandate the appearance of an employee
(exercise the Mayor’s authority for limited subpoena power)
• Compliance for all past requests to the Police Department
for employee interviews
• No PCRB panel has requested to interview a witness or City
employee
• How often the board heard cases (to date, five officer-
involved shooting cases, three non-officer involved
cases).
Councilmember Wharton expressed concerns that previously
obtained information stated the City could not issue subpoenas and
subsequently received criticism from citizen groups that sought
changes to the PCRB (for not having an ordinance that allowed for
the issuance of subpoenas). He said having known of the allowance
for subpoenas, the public could have been properly informed.
Councilmember Fowler suggested small group meetings with PCRB
members to review their thoughts on the board and asked
Staff/Administration to coordinate with any willing members to
meet with the Council to flush out any concerns and see how the
Council could better support the board, thus creating the necessary
changes to the ordinance.
#3.3:38:18 PM Ordinance: Dockless Shared Mobility Devices (Electric Scooters) Follow-up. The Council will receive a follow-
up briefing about a proposed ordinance that would regulate the use
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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of electric scooters and other dockless, shared mobility devices
in the City. The Council would also consider amending the
Consolidated Fee Schedule as part of the dockless shared mobility
device ordinance. Currently, dockless scooter companies operate
under temporary operating agreements until an ordinance is passed.
The latest version of a draft ordinance was sent to the Council in
March 2020. The updated ordinance incorporates some feedback and
concerns including additional requirements for safety features,
insurance requirement changes, and language to better
differentiate between scooters and devices - motorized or
otherwise – used by individuals with reduced or specialized
mobility, among other changes. View Attachments Samuel Owen introduced the proposal and indicated this was
the third briefing.
Jonathan Larsen briefed the Council regarding the following
information:
• Brief timeline (Summer 2018 to Summer 2020): scooter
launch/pilot program began, launch of survey/website/email,
State Legislation, five vendors in operation, draft ordinance,
additional surveys conducted, updated ordinance, and eventual
ordinance adoption
• Next steps (post ordinance adoption): competitive process to
limit up to two vendors, fee adoption, contracting, provide
resources to run program and develop performance
monitoring/reporting, and continue to listen/observe/adapt
• Fee structuring options: flat up-front fee, per ride fee, or
hybrid (smaller up-front fee plus a per ride fee – City
recommended)
• Accountability: competitive process for limited licenses,
performance monitoring, annual renewal of contract, potential
fines, incentives, etc.
• Upcoming staffing needs
Jennifer McGrath said a fee analysis was conducted and it was
determined the program would cost between $150,000 to
$200,000/year (to meet basic operating requirements/operate the
program) and it would be helpful to receive direction from the
Council on preference of a fee structure (per ride, hybrid, or up-
front fee).
#4. 4:04:20 PM Ordinance*: Zoning Text Amendment to Increase Building Height Limits in a Portion of the G-MU Zone Follow-up.
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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The Council will receive a follow-up briefing about a request to
increase the building heights within a portion of the G-MU (Gateway
Mixed Use) zoning district from a current maximum of 120 feet up
to 190 feet across portions of two separate blocks located between
500 West and the railroad tracks (approximately 625 West) and 200
South and 400 South. The applicant is requesting the change for a
specific development project. *The Planning Commission forwarded
a negative recommendation, therefore an ordinance has not been
drafted. If the Council decides to approve the zone amendment, an
ordinance would be drafted and considered for approval. View Attachments Russell Weeks introduced the proposal, indicated this was the
Council’s third discussion on the issue, and explained the two
motions presented to the Council.
John Anderson provided clarification on the motions before
the Council and indicated a straw poll would be helpful to know
Council’s position and to begin working with the Attorneys Office
to draft an ordinance.
Straw Poll: Support for adoption of language originally
written by the petitioner in a proposed ordinance to increase
building heights within the geographic area proposed by the
petitioner, along with a requirement that new construction of
buildings within the geographic area be subject to design review
and design review standards set out in Salt Lake City Municipal
Code 21A.59.050, and for the Administration to initiate a study of
building heights in the greater downtown, starting with the Station
Center and North Temple Street areas, followed by areas identified
for transit-oriented development, and then by areas that made up
the greater downtown generally defined by the existing D-1, D-2,
D-3, D-4 and G-MU zoning districts. All Council Members were in
favor.
Nick Norris provided information regarding the GMU zone
ground floor use requirements, and said the proposed area was not
yet included on the zoning map (zoning was changed recently), and
also indicated a review could be made regarding design
review/ground floor uses and forwarded to the Council.
#5. Tentative Break (no break)
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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#6.4:23:30 PM Resolution: Capital Improvement Program Projects Follow-up. The Council will receive a follow-up briefing about a
resolution for project funding allocations in the Capital
Improvement Program (CIP), which involves the construction,
purchase or renovation of buildings, parks, streets or other
physical structures. Generally, projects have a useful life of
five or more years and cost $50,000 or more. View Attachments Benjamin Luedtke indicated this was the Council’s third
briefing, tonight was the second public hearing, and the Council
was set to take action on August 18, 2020. He said since the July
14 briefing, there was a potential future capital project (adding
interior lighting to Jefferson Park).
Councilmember Mano provided a summary regarding the Jefferson
Park lighting and said there was a meeting between the Parks
Department and the community a few weeks ago where suggestions
were made on how more lighting could be added to the park in
conjunction with a new walking path (as ways to make the park
safer). He said this project had the potential to be appropriate
for parks impact fees. He added the lack of lighting in the area
had become an increasing concern among the community, and it was
within the City’s consideration to provide lighting and help the
neighborhood.
Councilmember Fowler expressed frustration with the CIP
process this year and said she was not opposed to the Jefferson
Park project but noted no other potential projects were funded
this year and she could not be supportive of adding this project
to the current CIP. Councilmember Mano explained that the Parks
Department came to the community with specific lighting options
and asked the community for their input. He said this project would
require a budget amendment or CIP funding.
Councilmember Johnston inquired if utilities knew of the cost
to install lighting on existing light poles on Paramount Street,
and if funding for it could be found in the existing budget, the
mitigation budget, or any other existing budgets as a stop gap
measure as budget openings go forward.
Jennifer Bruno said there were a few available paths (all
ending in Council action) and it would either require an allocation
of General Fund dollars, a budget amendment within the Public
Utilities street lighting fund, or a public benefit analysis.
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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Councilmember Wharton inquired how it might make more sense
to go with the CIP process or a budget amendment (from a budgetary
standpoint). Ms. Bruno said one benefit of the CIP process was it
received review by a citizen review committee. Cindy Gust-Jenson
added that the City preferred projects like this go through the
CIP process, however; this one might have excess needs that
justified additional funding from other sources and it would be up
to the Council to discuss/decide where the funding came from.
Jennifer McGrath alerted the Council that issues might arise
with moving projects forward if funding was not allocated (delaying
until Fall or later), impacting the ability to move forward with
studies, placing projects out for bid (for completing engineering
work), etc.
#7.4:49:38 PM Informational: Municipal Renewable Energy Project Update. The Council will receive a briefing about the
Administration’s recent efforts to align more City operations with
renewable energy resources. The update primarily includes a solar
project opportunity and City financial impacts for repowering
municipal electricity needs with renewable energy. View Attachments
Councilmember Wharton said he would move this item to a
written briefing. No discussion was held.
#8.4:50:40 PM Ordinance: Vegetation Reduction Permits for Wildfire Mitigation Follow-up. The Council will receive a follow-
up briefing about a proposal for a new permit program that would
allow qualifying residents to reduce vegetation on a strip of City-
owned open lands adjacent to their properties to reduce potential
wildfire fuel sources. Only properties managed by the Parks and
Public Lands Division, such as the Foothills Natural Area or the
Jordan River Parkway, would be eligible. The proposal seeks to
strike a balance between the City’s limited budget for public lands
management and the concerns of some residents about the risk of
wildfires spreading to their properties. View Attachments Allison Rowland introduced the proposal, indicated a public
hearing date would be set tonight (September 15, 2020), and
potential action would be on October 6, 2020.
Lewis Kogan briefed the Council regarding:
• History of the proposal;
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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• Multiple requests being received from the community for
permission to conduct vegetation removal;
• No previous mechanism to permit/allow vegetation removal to
occur;
• Importance of considering wildlife habitat, recreation, scenic
values, etc. in conjunction with fire mitigation;
• Permit program being available to any private homeowner who
lived immediately adjacent to a property that was managed by
Salt Lake City Public Lands (parks or natural areas); and
• Limits on vegetation removal (Foothills up to 30 feet from
property boundary and up to 5 feet in urban areas from property
boundary).
#9.4:57:57 PM Advice and Consent: Salt Lake City Economic Development Director – Ben Kolendar. The Council will interview
Ben Kolendar prior to considering his appointment as Director of
the Economic Development Department. View Attachments
Councilmember Wharton said Mr. Kolendar’s name was on the
Consent Agenda for formal consideration.
#10.5:09:38 PM Advice and Consent: Chief Human Resources Officer – Debra Alexander. The Council will interview Debra Alexander prior
to considering her appointment as the Chief Human Resources
Officer. View Attachments
Councilmember Wharton said Ms. Alexander’s name was on the
Consent Agenda for formal consideration.
#11. 5:27:31 PM Board Appointment: Utah Performing Arts Center Agency (UPACA) – Danny Walz. The Council will interview Danny Walz
prior to considering his appointment to the Utah Performing Arts
Center Agency (UPACA) for a term ending August 11, 2024. View Attachments
Councilmember Wharton said Mr. Walz’s name was on the Consent
Agenda for formal consideration.
#12. 5:30:21 PM Board Appointment: Business Advisory Board – Alfonso Brito. The Council will interview Alfonso Brito prior to
considering his appointment to the Business Advisory Board for a
term ending December 30, 2024. View Attachments
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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Councilmember Wharton said Mr. Brito’s name was on the Consent
Agenda for formal consideration.
#13. 5:34:11 PM Informational: Update on Sustainability Projects for Quarter 3 Fiscal Year 2019-2020
The Council will receive a written briefing from the City’s
Sustainability Department about the quarter three status of
Sustainability Projects approved in the Fiscal Year 2019-20
budget, as of June 2020. View Attachments
Written briefing only.
#14. 5:34:16 PM REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
No discussion was held.
#15. 5:34:24 PM 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.
No discussion was held.
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020
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#16. 7:10:05 PM CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE §52-4-205 FOR ANY ALLOWED PURPOSE.
Councilmember Fowler moved and Councilmember Johnston
seconded to enter into Closed Session to discuss pending or
reasonably imminent litigation pursuant to Utah Code §52-4-
205(1)(c); and Advice of Counsel, Utah Open and Public Meetings
Law. A roll call vote was taken. Council Members Johnston, Wharton,
Mano, Valdemoros, Dugan, Fowler, and Rogers voted aye. See File M
20-1 for Sworn Statement.
In Attendance: Council Members Johnston, Valdemoros, Wharton,
Fowler, Rogers, Dugan, and Mano.
Others in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Jennifer Bruno, Lehua
Weaver, Lisa Shaffer, Amanda Lau, Benjamin Luedtke, Katherine
Lewis, Mark Kittrell, Rachel Otto, Allison Rowland, Robert
Nutzman, Samuel Owen, DeeDee Robinson, and Scott Crandall.
The Work Session meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
The Closed Session adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
Minutes were approved on Tuesday, January 19, 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
August 11, 2020.
sc/dr
Chris Wharton (Jan 26, 2021 22:17 MST)
Cindy Trishman (Jan 26, 2021 22:50 MST)
Please sign: August 11, 2020 Work Session
minutes
Final Audit Report 2021-01-27
Created:2021-01-22
By:Cindy Trishman (cindy.trishman@slcgov.com)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAA64XOLy2E3vcxXdxQm6-c3W2kd37YJn2-
"Please sign: August 11, 2020 Work Session minutes" History
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