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Home My WebLink About06/05/2025 - Work Session - MinutesThe City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in Work Session on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The following Council Members were present: Victoria Petro, Daniel Dugan, Chris Wharton, Alejandro Puy, Darin Mano, Sarah Young, Eva Lopez Chavez Present Legislative leadership: Jennifer Bruno – Executive Director, Lehua Weaver – Deputy Director, Nick Tarbet – Deputy Director Present Administrative leadership: Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Rachel Otto – Chief of Staff, Jill Love – Chief Administrative Officer Present City Staff: Mark Kittrell – City Attorney, Keith Reynolds – City Recorder, Stephanie Elliott – Minutes & Records Clerk, Ben Luedtke – Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Mary Beth Thompson – Chief Financial Officer, Allison Rowland – Public Policy Analyst, Debbie Lyons – Sustainability Director, Sophia Nicholas – Sustainability Deputy Director, Austin Kimmel – Public Policy Analyst, Michael Sanders – Budget & Policy Analyst, Lisa Kehoe – 911 Dispatch Director, Christopher Bell – Waste & Recycling Division Director, Rachel Molinari – Capital Improvement Program & Impact Fee Manager, Michael Atkinson – Capital Assets Planning Manager, Kate Werrett – Budget and Policy Analyst The meeting was called to order at 1:11 p.m. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 1 Work Session Items Click Here for the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. 1.Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget: 911 Department ~ 1:00 p.m. 30 min. The Council will receive a briefing about the proposed 911 Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The Department provides both Police and Fire Dispatch services for the City. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/SLCFY26. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Thursday, June 5, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - TBD Summary: Michael Sanders introduced the agenda item. Lisa Kehoe presented the budget and discussed the Artificial Intelligence (AI) -assisted solutions proposal funded by the E911 fund, explaining AI technology was designed to help manage call volume by directing non-emergency calls to the appropriate departments or services while providing translation and transcription support, including the ability to detect different dialects and adapt to each call, thereby allowing 911 operators to focus on emergency calls during high-call volumes. Council Requests: Council Member Petro requested a follow-up on the budgetary needs moving forward for the 911 department to inform the Council on future costs and funding needed to keep this department functioning for the community. Council Member Mano requested a public announcement regarding the new technology and process for 911 calls to mitigate confusion and inform the community about the integration of AI. Council Member Puy requested a report on Salt Lake City Dispatch’s 911-text feature, as well as a public message to spread awareness about this feature. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 2 2.Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget: New Legislative Intents and Interim Study Items ~ 1:30 p.m. 30 min. The Council will receive the second briefing of two opportunities on legislative intents during the Fiscal Year 26 budget discussions, provides time for the Council to consider any new items to be added to its list. Legislative intents are formal requests the Council makes of the Administration. The first briefing was held on June 3, 2025. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, June 3, 2025 and Thursday, June 5, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - TBD Council Member Petro left during this item, and Council Members Young and Lopez Chavez were present intermittently. Summary: Allison Rowland and Jennifer Bruno discussed and clarified the proposed Legislative Intent and objectives with the Council. Lehua Weaver spoke on the MySLC Legislative Intent item, emphasizing the need for further discussion on response and completion times reports to the mobile app requests, and addressed Arts Council funding and programs, requesting a collaborative meeting between Council and the Arts Council to improve program outcomes. Council Member Puy introduced a newly proposed Legislative Intent, which called for review and comparison of current city services with those provided by external organizations and nonprofits to identify duplication and explore opportunities for improved efficiency. Mary Beth Thompson spoke in support of the proposal, noting that a report was being prepared to outline city services, along with their budgetary costs and benefits, to inform the Council. Straw Polls: Support to include a request for a monthly report from the administration on caseloads for the Court System Budget and Workload Evaluation Intent to collaborate and prepare for future budgets. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro and Young absent. Support to include the language of “best practices” in the Police Camera/ Body-Worn Camera/ Drone Privacy Intent, and further request an annual report alongside small group meetings as needed on privacy, accountability, transparency, and civil rights MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 3 protections. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro and Young absent. Supporting the removal of the Name of the Urban Services Division Intent, Jennifer Bruno clarified that the administration could name the division; therefore, a legislative intent and ordinance were not required to rename it. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro and Young absent. Support to update the Don’t Block the Box Intent and evaluate the signage and current laws for entering and blocking the intersections in Salt Lake City, suggesting more signage and a new policy. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro and Young absent. Support to update the Evaluating Efficiencies of All Diversified Response Teams Intent on how the Council evaluates the efficiencies of all diversified Response Teams. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro, Lopez Chavez, and Young absent. Support to update the Street Bonds Funding Intent to ensure the item could be placed on the ballot in time if necessary. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro, Lopez Chavez, and Young absent. Support to update the CIP Set-Aside for Community-Led Projects Intent and evaluate the process to create a more suitable way to distribute the funds each year to all districts. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro, Lopez Chavez, and Young absent. Support to update language in the mySLC Intent to continue efforts to promote and improve public use of the mobile platform. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro, Lopez Chavez, and Young absent. Support to update the Arts Council Funding Intent to include the Administration's involvement in helping expand the number of projects to meet the expectations of the Council and Community. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro, Lopez Chavez, and Young absent. Council Member Puy proposed an update to the intent to include a collaboration with the Administration to create an inventory of City services. All Council Members present were in favor, with Council Members Petro, Lopez Chavez, and Young absent. Council Requests: Council Member Wharton requested that community and budgetary impacts be separated in the report for the newly proposed intent – Evaluation of Non-Statutory City Services and Potential Non-Profit Organization Implementation. Council Members requested that the discussion on the intent item – Considerations relating to potential future property tax increase – be tabled until Council Member Petro MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 4 returned to the meeting. 3.Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget: Sustainability Department and Refuse Fund ~ 2:00 p.m. 45 min. The Council will receive a briefing about the proposed Sustainability Department budget and Refuse Fund for Fiscal Year 2025-26. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/SLCFY26. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Thursday, June 5, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - TBD Summary: Austin Kimmel introduced the agenda item. Debbie Lyons, Sophia Nicholas, and Chris Bell presented the Sustainability and Waste & Recycling Division budgets and discussed funding for electric vehicle charging stations, recycling, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants with the Council. Council Requests: Council Member Dugan requested a follow-up meeting to review the department's priorities and discuss how to integrate these programs into the City effectively. Council Member Puy requested a report on the impacts to the community regarding utility rate increases and an update to the Title II Ordinance timeline for completion. 4.Tentative Break ~ 2:45 p.m. 20 min. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Set Public Hearing Date - Hold hearing to accept public comment - TENTATIVE Council Action - MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 5 5.Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget: Unresolved Issues Follow-up ~ 3:05 p.m. 60 min. The Council will receive a follow-up briefing about unresolved issues relating to the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/SLCFY26. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Thursday, May 29, 2025; Tuesday, June 3, 2025; and Thursday, June 5, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, May 20, 2025 and Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - TBD Summary: Council Members revisited Agenda Item 2 – New Legislative Intent, as previously requested, upon Council Member Petro’s return to the meeting. Council Member Petro emphasized the importance of the Considerations relating to potential future property tax increases to address potential future property tax increases while continuing to invest in the city by improving the efficiency of current city services in order to decrease the need to raise taxes, benefiting residents and helping property owners afford to stay in their homes. Allison Rowland, Jennifer Bruno, and the Council discussed structural deficits, city employment priorities, and strategies for effectively communicating the importance of tax-increasing projects to the public. Item Number 5 Summary Jennifer Bruno and the Council discussed unresolved budget issues, including a revised proposal for the Foothill Trails contingency from the previous fiscal year (FY) budget, due to confusion among staff and the public regarding the adopted contingency, and reviewed Salt Lake County’s decision to merge the Salt Lake City and Library judgment levies, which may require allocating City Fund Balances to support the City Library’s budgetary needs. Additionally, the Council addressed unused CIP funds and potential reallocation options, including suggestions to direct the funds toward Public Lands maintenance and CIP Project No. 5 – Street Reconstruction. Jennifer clarified that historically, unused CIP funds have been applied to other previously approved but unfunded CIP projects; however, these funds could also be reallocated to the General Fund for other projects the Council deems essential to MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 6 complete. Straw Polls: Support to approve the additional expenditures for the foothill trails and update the current language in paragraph 2C from “may” to “shall” and reflect the required objectives. Support was unanimous, with Council Member Lopez Chavez absent. Support to allocate $74,000 in unused CIP funds for the deferred Public Lands maintenance projects and CIP Project No. 5 – Street Reconstruction Projects, which were already approved but unfunded. Support was unanimous, with Council Member Lopez Chavez absent. Council Requests: Council Members requested to further review the Agenda Item 2 – New Legislative Intent for Considerations relating to potential future property tax increase, send questions and suggestions to Council Staff, and have a future discussion after more review has been completed. 6.Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget: Capital Improvement Program ~ 4:05 p.m. 30 min. The Council will receive a briefing about the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which involves the construction, purchase or renovation of buildings, parks, streets or other City-owned physical structures. Generally, projects have a useful life of at least five years and cost $50,000 or more. The Council approves debt service and overall CIP funding in June with the annual budget process, while project-specific funding is approved by September 1 of the same calendar year. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Thursday, June 5, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 and Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, May 20, 2025; Tuesday, June 3, 2025; and Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - TBD MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 7 Summary: Kate Werrett introduced the agenda item. Ben Luedtke, Rachel Molinari, and Mike Atkinson presented on the CIP program and discussed ongoing community project funding needs, street impact fees, and the allowable uses and policies governing those funds with the Council. Council Requests: Council Member Puy requested that future presentations include a report on funded CIP projects to highlight progress on community requests, promote transparency to the public, and encourage additional applications. Standing Items 7.Report of the Chair and Vice Chair - - Report of Chair and Vice Chair. There were no reports. 8.Report and Announcements from the Executive Director - - 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: •Artwork Deaccession; and •Scheduling Items. There were no reports or announcements. 9.Tentative Closed Session - - The Council will consider a motion to enter into Closed Session. A closed meeting described under Section 52-4-205 may be held for specific purposes including, but not limited to: MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 8 a. discussion of the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual; b. strategy sessions to discuss collective bargaining; c. strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation; d. strategy sessions to discuss the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property, including any form of a water right or water shares, if public discussion of the transaction would: (i) disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the property under consideration; or (ii) prevent the public body from completing the transaction on the best possible terms; e. strategy sessions to discuss the sale of real property, including any form of a water right or water shares, if: (i) public discussion of the transaction would: (A) disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the property under consideration; or (B) prevent the public body from completing the transaction on the best possible terms; (ii) the public body previously gave public notice that the property would be offered for sale; and (iii) the terms of the sale are publicly disclosed before the public body approves the sale; f. discussion regarding deployment of security personnel, devices, or systems; and g. investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct. A closed meeting may also be held for attorney-client matters that are privileged pursuant to Utah Code § 78B-1-137, and for other lawful purposes that satisfy the pertinent requirements of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act. Item not held. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 9 Meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m. Minutes Approved: October 7, 2025 _______________________________ City Council Chair – Chris Wharton _______________________________ City Recorder – Keith Reynolds Please refer to Meeting Materials (available at https://data.slc.gov by selecting City Council Meeting Information) for supportive content including electronic recordings and comments submitted prior to or during the meeting. Websites listed within the body of the Minutes may not remain active indefinitely. This document along with the digital recording constitutes the official minutes of the City Council Work Session meeting held Thursday, June 5, 2025 and is not intended to serve as a full transcript. Please refer to the electronic recording for entire content pursuant to Utah Code §52- 4-203. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Thursday, June 5, 2025 10 Chris Wharton (Oct 10, 2025 16:46:46 MDT) *Approved October 7, 2025* - June 5, 2025 Work Session Minutes_SE Final Audit Report 2025-10-10 Created:2025-10-10 By:DeeDee Robinson (deedee.robinson@slc.gov) Status:Signed Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAA6RwxhOFSalBmh2rEBJF6lMnSZpD4oiz "*Approved October 7, 2025* - June 5, 2025 Work Session Minu tes_SE" History Document created by DeeDee Robinson (deedee.robinson@slc.gov) 2025-10-10 - 3:37:39 PM GMT Document emailed to Chris Wharton (chris.wharton@slc.gov) for signature 2025-10-10 - 3:39:02 PM GMT Email viewed by Chris Wharton (chris.wharton@slc.gov) 2025-10-10 - 8:25:04 PM GMT Document e-signed by Chris Wharton (chris.wharton@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2025-10-10 - 10:46:46 PM GMT - Time Source: server Document emailed to Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) for signature 2025-10-10 - 10:46:48 PM GMT Email viewed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) 2025-10-10 - 10:47:29 PM GMT Document e-signed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2025-10-10 - 10:47:45 PM GMT - Time Source: server Agreement completed. 2025-10-10 - 10:47:45 PM GMT