01/21/2020 - Work Session - Minutes MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2020
The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday January 21, 2020,
in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State
Street .
In Attendance: Council Members Andrew Johnston, Amy Fowler, Chris
Wharton, Daniel Dugan, Analia Valdemoros, and James Rogers .
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Council Executive
Director; Erin Mendenhall, Mayor; Rachel Otto, Mayor' s Chief of
Staff; Jennifer Bruno, Council Executive Deputy Director;
Katherine Lewis, City Attorney; Lynn Pace, Director of
Governmental Relations; Lehua Weaver, Council Associate Deputy
Director; Kory Solorio, Assistant City Recorder; and DeeDee
Robinson, Deputy City Recorder.
Guests in Attendance: Applicants for vacant Council District Five
seat : Annastasia Kaessner, Steve Quinn, Bill Davis, Jessica Gezon,
Blake Quinton, Enrique Arce-Larreta, Michael Aguilar, Nancy
Philipp, Zachary Bartholomew, Darin Mano, Karel Joy McDonough,
Misty Snow, Alexander Zaharoff, George Chapman, Earl Robert
Norman-Comstock, Jenny Hobbs, Crystal Young-Otterstrom, Murry
Mullenax, Grant Miller, Amy J. Hawkins, Sarah Reale, Jason
Stevenson, Rick Graham, and Carol Rogozinski .
Councilmember Wharton presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 2 : 10 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. 2:10:28PM BRIEFING BY THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING ISSUES
AFFECTING THE CITY THAT MAY ARISE DURING THE 2020 UTAH STATE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION. View Attachments
Lynn Pace briefed the Council with attachments . Discussion
was held regarding tax reform proposal/referendum, Inland Port
legislation, homelessness (Homeless & Shelter Services Sharing) ,
affordable housing (SB 39-Affordable Housing Amendments) , sales
tax base/distribution, water (any legislation affecting water) ,
transportation/transit funding, tax levy by local redevelopment
agency board, proposal to increase public safety retirement
benefits, land use (subdivision ordinances/gravel pits) , billboard
legislation, and airport legislation.
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#2 . TENTATIVE BREAK
Note: A recess was taken at 2 : 26 p.m. (moved to Council
Chambers, Room 315 to hold Council District Five vacancy
interviews) . The Work Session meeting reconvened at 2 : 35 p.m.
#3 . 2:35:55PM INTERVIEW APPLICANTS FOR THE VACANT COUNCIL
DISTRICT FIVE SEAT. EACH APPLICANT WILL HAVE UP TO FIVE MINUTES TO
SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL ON TOPICS OF THEIR CHOICE. View Attachments
Councilmember Wharton said this was a process the Council was
required to perform according to State statute. He said for
himself, this was a difficult process, as the remaining Council
Members who did not live in District Five were made to choose a
representative for that district .
Councilmember Wharton said the applicants would speak in
random order as their names were drawn.
The following applicants for the vacant Council District Five
seat were given five minutes to provide a verbal presentation on
topics of their choice to the Council :
2:40:41PM Annastasia Kaessner said she had a strong background
round
in local business, non-profits, treatment centers, and private
commercial real estate/development sectors . She spoke about
serving on the Salt Lake County Arts & Culture Advisory Board and
Crew Utah Board of Directors, being collaborative, understanding
growth, supporting alternative transportation methods/mass
transit, and bringing a blend of private/public experience.
2:46:12 PM Steve Quinn spoke about present/previous public
service, working with the homeless, his creation of a non-profit,
local union affiliation, being collaborative, local trails/hiking,
accessory dwelling units/single-room occupancy, land development,
and diversity being important .
2:50:59 PM Bill Davis spoke about volunteering, public
engagement, public service, civic duty, knowledge of City
business, being collaborative/cooperative, mentoring community
councils, being a decision maker, bringing a neighborhood
perspective, being a resident and small business owner, sharing
the values of the Council (walkability, green-space, air-quality,
housing affordability, mitigating crime/homelessness, equality,
diversity) , and being a problem solver. Letter of Recommendation
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2:58:05 PM Jessica Gezon spoke about being new to local
government, being a proud Utah resident, concerns regarding air-
quality, public transit becoming more accessible, education for
residents regarding idling cars, use of more electric vehicles,
high-density housing negatively effecting infrastructure,
encouraging drought-resistant landscaping requirements,
homelessness, and the addition of transitional/low-income housing
in new developments.
3:02:14PM Blake Quinton spoke about being a local business
owner, understanding budgets, love of Salt Lake City, bringing
experience from traveling/living in other cities, addressing the
housing crisis, providing builders with more options (paying
toward fund for City built buildings or building affordable housing
units directly into structures) , having knowledge of construction,
ability to oversee policies/procedures, and air-quality
issues/solutions .
3:07:57PM Enrique Arce-Larreta spoke about growing up in Salt
Lake City, educational background, family background/involvement
in public service, diversity of Salt Lake City, being a bike
commuter, and being a teacher at West High School .
3:14:02 PM Michael Aguilar spoke about growing up in Utah,
compassion of the local community, automotive industry knowledge,
and contributions to his community: saving the Utah Pride Center,
facilitating scholarship funds for Latino youth, placing service
animals with veterans, assisting with fund raising for Planned
Parenthood, and volunteering at a local school .
3:19:12PM Nancy Philipp spoke about her family/growing up in
Utah, educational background, working in different municipalities
(California) , importance of zoning/policies and
affordable/independent housing, economic health of the City,
surviving cancer, and providing service information to the
homeless.
Note: A recess was taken at 3 : 24 . The Work Session meeting
reconvened at 3 : 30 p .m.
3:30:25PM Zachary David Bartholomew spoke about serving the
homeless, being an educator, volunteering/donating for the women' s
shelter, fund raising for security cameras for residents
experiencing property crime, advocating for humane treatment of
all people, setting up/running community events, neighbor' s
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comments made on his behalf, vision for District Five (new
community center, increasing bike/walkability of neighborhoods,
rezoning along State Street corridor) , and the City needing more
trees and better air.
3:35:39 PM Clint Campbell was not present when his name was
called.
3:36:18 PM Darin Mano spoke about his family' s history in
California/Utah, serving his community (various City
boards/commissions) , affordable housing, educational experience
(University of Utah & Harvard University) , understanding of City
planning/urban design, Citywide transit
(bus/bike/streetcar/Trax) , and high-potential areas of the City
(Station Center, State Street corridor, 9-Line, etc . ) . Letters of
Recommendation
3:41:06PM Karel Joy McDonough spoke about representing the
residents/businesses of District Five, living in the district for
53 years, involvement in community activities, preference for
existing housing being maintained, community gardening, wide
variety of experience/knowledge, previous campaigning experience,
service/experience on various boards, and learning
patience/tolerance through teaching.
3:46:12PM Misty Snow spoke about previously running for the Utah
State Senate, growing up in Salt Lake City, pedestrian/public
transit homeless issues in Salt Lake City, and representing LGBTQ
Y P g
population in the City.
3:51:28PM Alexander Zaharoff spoke about being a proud resident
of Salt Lake City, growing up in California, passion for the
environment/community, educational background (population
health) , use of data helping the City make informed policy
decisions, need for safe/sustainable balancing of multiple housing
types, and quality & fairness being his most driving principles.
3:56:35PM George Chapman spoke about local City issues (crime-
magnet hotels, State Street expansion, North Temple development,
etc . ) , needing additional personnel to speed up the building permit
process, re-routing the Green line onto 400 West, the demolition
ordinance needing to be changed, vacant/boarded buildings, the
need for an east-side Police precinct, protection of small
businesses, more maintenance for the City' s west-side streets,
mass-transit use, and respect for fellow District Five candidate,
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Rick Graham.
4:02:03 PM Earl Robert Norman-Comstock spoke about moving
to/living in Salt Lake City, qualifications for the Council seat
(worked for/operated a homeless shelter, youth/adult correctional
chaplain, starting a non-profit organization, involved with the
Hispanic Democratic Caucus for 20 years, public school teacher for
14 years) , and empathy towards the needs of lower middle-
class/homeless/minority communities/at-risk youth.
4:07:26PM Tammy McKelvie was not present when her name was
called.
4:07:48 PM Jenny Hobbs spoke about being a local entrepreneur,
donating time/money to under-served groups in the community,
supporting organizations that assist the homeless/further social
justice through education, better mobility on City sidewalks,
being an immigrant/advocating for other immigrants, and working to
create a sustainable City (air/water-quality improvement, improved
transportation, and infrastructure maintenance) .
4:11:57PM Crystal Young-Otterstrom spoke about working with
local community groups, ability to impact statutes as an advocate,
identifying creative solutions to complex problems,
knowledge/experience in all levels of government, looking forward
to working on: clean air, East/West equity, densification,
preservation, public transit, affordable housing, and bringing
more public art to Salt Lake City. Letter of Recommendation
4:17:28PM Murry Mullenax spoke about his experience being a
surety bond underwriter, working knowledge of what made a
successful construction project, knowing how to ask the right
questions/make thoughtful decisions, and concern/passion for: air-
quality, affordable housing, diversity, infrastructure, and public
transportation.
4:20:46PM Grant Amjad Miller spoke about his heritage, growing
up in Salt Lake City, being a public defender (lawyer) ,
facilitating community out-reach efforts, involvement in various
community boards, being open-minded/amicable, and familiarity with
City/State government .
4:25:09PM Amy J. Hawkins spoke about affordability/stability of
housing, safety of District Five neighborhoods, access to healthy
food, quality employment/fair pay, helping revive a neighborhood
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watch group, member of the Ballpark Community Council (Vice-Chair
& Chair) , advocating for a crime-free community, accessible
pedestrian infrastructure, helping create science-based opioid
education for local schools, unique combination of community
leadership, teaching, and scientific education/communication
experience. Letter of Recommendation
4:29:39PM Sarah Reale spoke about being an educator and public
lands advocate, wanting to contribute to the Council' s
priorities/work, being a Digital Marketing Director/adjunct
Political Science Professor, advocating/promoting civic
engagement, being a champion of the democratic process, experience
working with legislators, college presidents, board members, and
college students . Letters of Recommendation
4:34:14PM Jason Stevenson spoke about designing curriculum and
teaching citizenship classes for refugees, volunteering/working
for the Utah Health Policy Project (HPP) and American Civil
Liberties Union (ACLU) , serving on the East Liberty Park Community
Council as a board member and Co-Chair, advocating for Medicaid
Expansion/lobbying the legislature, and sensitivity to District
Five' s complex/contentious issues (the Inn Between, public safety
concerns, new roundabout on 900 S . ) . Letter of Recommendation
4:39:54 PM Rick Graham spoke about previously working for the
Administration/being a presenter to the Council, broad/detailed
experience/understanding of City operations, working with the
City' s diverse population/stakeholders, and knowledge of the
City' s biggest issues (Inland Port, Operation Rio Grande, homeless
resource centers, low income housing, and air quality) .
4:45:25 PM Carol Rogozinkski spoke about the 14th amendment of
the United States Constitution, growing up in Salt Lake City,
service on various City boards, being homeless before utilizing
the First Time Home Buyer program, embracing diversity, serving as
Chair for the Salt Lake Central Community Council, and supporting
local issues .
Councilmember Wharton thanked the District Five candidates
for their presentations/being respectful of the time limits and
reviewed the next steps of the selection process .
Note: A recess was taken at 4 : 52 p.m. to break for dinner and
allow Council Members time for a final review of applicants . The
Work Session meeting reconvened at 6 : 05 p.m.
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6:06:00PM Councilmember Wharton outlined the voting process . He
said each Council Member would vote for four applicants for Round
One, and upon completion of the ballots, Council Staff would
tabulate the votes . He said the results of Round One would
determine the next steps in voting and listed the possible outcomes
of Rounds One, Two, and Three. The ballots were then passed out to
Council Members for voting and gathered by Staff .
6:13:48PM Kory Solorio, Assistant City Recorder, read the Round
One Voting Ballots into the record. Votes were tabulated by Council
Staff and the following top four candidates were announced with
the number of votes received as follows :
• Crystal Young-Otterstrom - 5
• Darin Masao Mano - 5
• Sarah Reale - 5
• Rick Graham - 4
Councilmember Wharton said for those candidates who did not
advance today, there were opportunities to serve on a number of
boards/commissions, various community councils, and local non-
profits .
Councilmember Fowler thanked candidates for their
applications/presentations and said that any candidate before them
today could use her as a reference. She said there was a vast
amount of experience/knowledge, passion/compassion, amongst the
candidates .
6:23:41 PM Councilmember Wharton said Round Two voting would entail
voting for two applicants, and the candidates receiving the
majority of votes would move to Round Three, the Council would
determine whether to hold additional rounds of voting tonight, or
postpone the final vote to the February 4th Council meeting.
6:25:19 PM Kory Solorio, Assistant City Recorder, read the Round
Two Voting Ballots into the record. Votes were tabulated by Council
Staff and the following top three candidates were announced with
the number of votes received as follows:
• Crystal Young-Otterstrom - 3
• Darin Mano - 5
• Sarah Reale - 3
Straw Poll: Support for the top three candidates to move to
Round Three voting, and Council Members would vote for one
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candidate. All Council Members were in favor.
Council Members requested to hear from the top three
candidates prior to Round Three voting:
6:32:57 PM Darin Mano thanked the Council and spoke about his
experience and how it translated to serving on the City Council;
professional career as an architect, a small business owner, and
working as an educator. He said his primary motivation was serving
people and he was excited to continue that service as a District
Five representative on the Salt Lake City Council .
6:35:06PM Crystal Young-Otterstrom said she was grateful for
the Council' s support and spoke about advocating for a dedicated
turn light signal (blinking yellow turn arrow) for the intersection
of 1300 South and 700 East, and how persistent, friendly/effective
advocacies serving the neighborhood could produce solutions .
6:37:12PM Sarah Reale thanked the Council and spoke about how
she informed her students to be successful in her class; show up
(attend class) , try (effort for papers/projects) , and care (pay
attention to politics/listen/follow the news) , and how that
translated when the class came to an end. She read from a student' s
final exam, and explained how that student embodied her
teaching/intentions/beliefs .
6:39:38PM Discussion was held regarding how the next round of
voting/candidate selection would occur.
6:41:44PM Kory Solorio, Assistant City Recorder read the Round
Three Voting Ballots into the record. Votes were tabulated by
Council Staff and the following top three candidates were announced
with the number of votes received as follows:
• Crystal Young-Otterstrom - 2
• Sarah Reale - 2
• Darin Mano - 2
6:42:58PM Katherine Lewis, City Attorney stated that as per Utah
State Law, if there were two candidates remaining, and no majority
votes, the candidate could be appointed by lot (drawing
straws/flipping a coin) .
6:44:03PM Discussion was held regarding how the next round of
voting/candidate selection would occur.
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6:53:24PM Straw Poll: Support for Round Four voting to include:
two minute responses to "what differentiates you from the other
candidates" , one vote each per Council Member, and if after there
was a three way tie, then rank choice voting for Round Five. All
Council Members were in favor.
6:55:36PM Crystal Young-Otterstrom thanked the Council and spoke
about experience as an effective advocate, understanding of
municipal statute/City structure and legislative process, starting
her political service on the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Board
and service on various other boards, understanding of elections
and issues facing the Council, bringing amplification to the voices
of her district, understanding of zoning/policy, and
strong/extensive budgeting experience.
6:58:06PM Sarah Reale thanked the Council and spoke about having
the skills/ability to learn policy, drawing comparisons of City
operations vs . working at the Salt Lake Community College, being
a part of cultural/policy changes, ability to bring people together
for a common cause, build bridges, and make connections/be a great
teammate.
6:59:24 PM Darin Mano spoke about havingexperience with
p
planning/land use issues and how that related to the
Council/Redevelopment Agency (RDA) , understanding of re-
zoning/zoning text amendments, experience as an architect/urban
designer/educator, serving on the Planning Commission and
Redevelopment Advisory Committee (RAC) , believing in
honesty/integrity, and building trust by listening to concerned
citizens.
7:04:51PM Kory Solorio, Assistant City Recorder read the Round
Four Voting Ballots into the record. Votes were tabulated by
Council Staff and the following top three candidates were announced
with the number of votes received as follows :
• Darin Mano - 4
• Sarah Reale - 1
• Crystal Young-Otterstrom - 1
7:06:15PM Straw Poll : Support for appointing Darin Mano as
District Five Councilmember. All Council Members were in favor.
Councilmember Wharton stated the appointment of Darin Mano to
fill the vacant District Five Councilmember seat would be made
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during the Formal Meeting.
STANDING ITEMS
#4 . 7:30:07PM 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:
• Availability for Annual Council Group Photo;
• 4th Avenue Well Project Funding; and
• Scheduling Items
See File M 20-5 for announcements.
#5. REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
No discussion was held.
#6 . 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 : 10 p.m.
14
COUNCIL CHAIR 7
Pfoli*A.
Actin
g C T 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
January 21, 2020 .
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