The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About10/07/2025 - Work Session - MinutesThe City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in Work Session at the Sorensen Unity Center, 1383 South 900 West, Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 7, 2025. The following Council Members were present: Victoria Petro, Daniel Dugan, Chris Wharton, Alejandro Puy, Darin Mano, Eva Lopez Chavez The following Council Members were absent: Sarah Young Present Legislative leadership: Jennifer Bruno – Executive Director, Lehua Weaver – Deputy Director, Nick Tarbet – Deputy Director Present Administrative leadership: Rachel Otto – Chief of Staff, Jill Love – Chief Administrative Officer Present City Staff: Mark Kittrell – City Attorney, Keith Reynolds – City Recorder, Caitlin Carlino – Minutes & Records Clerk, Matthew Brown – Deputy City Recorder, Taylor Hill – District Liaison/Policy Specialist, Scott Corpany – Staff Assistant, Brian Fullmer – Public Policy Analyst, Mary Beth Thompson – Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Johnston – Director of Homelessness Policy and Outreach, Allison Rowland – Public Policy Analyst, Tammy Hunsaker – Community & Neighborhoods Director, Kristina Gilmore – Senior Planner, Julie Crookston – Deputy Director of Public Services, Sophia Nicholas – Sustainability Deputy Director, Laura Briefer – Public Utilities Director, Weston Clark – Mayor's Senior Advisor, Kate Werrett – Budget & Policy Analyst, Andrew Hulka – Senior Planner, Michael Sanders – Budget & Policy Analyst, Michaela Bell – Deputy Planning Director, Jesse Stewart – Public Utilities Deputy Director, Catherine Wyffels – Senior Air Quality and Environmental Program Manager, Austin Kimmel – Public Policy Analyst The meeting was called to order at 2:04 p.m. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 1 Work Session Items 1.Informational: Updates from the Administration ~ 2:00 p.m. 15 min. The Council will receive information from the Administration on major items or projects in progress. Topics may relate to major events or emergencies (if needed), services and resources related to people experiencing homelessness, active public engagement efforts, wildfire mitigation, and projects or staffing updates from City Departments, or other items as appropriate. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Recurring Briefing Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a Summary: Weston Clark presented updates from the Administration including: •The City’s new feedback site at shape.slc.gov •Parks and open space projects •Salt Lake City Mobility Plan open house on October 8, 2025 at Salt Lake City Main Library •Fall Landscaping Equipment Exchange program details •Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) grant applications accepted through November 1, 2025, and an information session on October 23, 2025 at the Salt Lake City Main Library •July 2025 Millcreek Fire claims details Andrew Johnson provided the homelessness updates including: •Homeless Resource Center utilization of 97% •Encampment Impact Mitigation (EIM) and Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) locations •Resource Fair details •Plans for 2025-26 Winter emergency services •Mobile Hygiene Pilot Program locations •Community Corner at 200 South 700 West Laura Briefer provided information on the historic flooding event that occurred between October 4–5, 2025, which impacted 27 homes in the Rose Park neighborhood and resulted in a Declaration of Emergency on October 6, 2025. Council Members and staff discussed: •Resources for affected residents found at: https://www.slc.gov/utilities/roseparkfloodrecovery/ •The various departments and volunteer groups involved in incident command, response and clean-up of the site MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 2 •The City’s coordination with the County and other entities to monitor and assess potential for future flooding •Salt Lake City Public Utilities and Salt Lake County Flood Control’s roles in the infrastructure and operations of the system 2.Ordinance: RMF-35 and RMF-45 Multi-Family Zoning District Text Amendment ~ 2:15 p.m. 45 min. The Council will receive a briefing about a proposal that would amend various sections of Title 21A of the Salt Lake City Code related to RMF-35 (Moderate Density Multi-Family Residential District) to RMF-45 (Moderate Density Multi-Family Residential District). As part of the proposal a small number of RMF-35 properties would be changed to RMF-45. The proposal aims to remove barriers to new housing developments and facilitate compatible infill within the City’s moderate-density neighborhoods. These proposed updates introduce design standards for new development, reduce minimum lot size requirements, eliminate lot width minimums, permit multiple buildings per lot, and offer a density bonus for preserving existing housing units. Other sections of Title 21A may also be amended as part of this petition. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/RMFZoneUpdates. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 2, 2025 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 3 Summary: Brian Fullmer introduced the item. Michaela Bell and Krissy Gilmore presented the item, emphasizing the amendment’s goals of addressing housing supply by disincentivizing demolition, standardizing zoning codes, and expanding housing options to better align with City planning. Council Members and staff discussed: •Support for aligning zoning with existing mixed-density areas, similar to the Lower Avenues neighborhood •Concerns of reduced setbacks and increased density in already dense areas •Benefits such as flexibility for aging residents, additional rental units, and formalization of practices already in use •Clarification on setback adherence of the current ordinance, last updated in 1995, compared to the proposed amendment standards •The evolution of zoning preferences of the community and comparisons to practices in other high-density cities •The role of the proposed amendment in protecting historic and landmark buildings by facilitating home expansions rather than demolition 3.Ordinance: Patriot Rail Street Vacations at Approximately 6500 West Interstate 80 Eastbound Freeway ~ 3:00 p.m. 20 min. The Council will receive a briefing about an ordinance that would close portions of the public right-of-way at approximately 6500 West Interstate 80 Eastbound Freeway. The proposal would allow the petitioner to purchase these portions of right-of-way to include in their property boundary for future railroad-related uses. There are no existing structures on the property. These are areas that were platted and dedicated to the City for use as public streets but were never constructed. Located within Council District 2. Petitioner: Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway, the property owners. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Summary: Brian Fullmer introduced the item. Andrew Hulka presented the item including the history of the location, lack of use, and Planning Commission's conditional recommendation. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 4 Council Members and staff discussed utility pole/easement details, support for decommissioning certain rail lines, and relocating the rail yard located in the Buena Vista neighborhood. Ashley Peck (Partner at Holland and Hart, representative for Patriot Rail) confirmed the intention to relocated the rail yard to this new location further west. 4.203 West Paxton Avenue Affordable Housing Development Public Hearing ~ 3:20 p.m. 15 min. The Council will receive a briefing on the Pax Station Apartment project, a 272-unit affordable housing project at 203 West Paxton Avenue, which would be funded through a tax-exempt private activity bond (PAB) issued by the Public Finance Authority of Wisconsin. The development entails no financial liability for Salt Lake City, but Federal regulations for tax-exempt PABs require the Council to hold what is known as a TEFRA (Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act) public hearing on this proposal. No other Council action is required. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a Summary: Allison Rowland and Mary Beth Thompson presented the item. Jennifer Bruno stated that Private Activity Bonds (PAB) were not unprecedented and that Council Staff sought to create a related policy in the future. Steven Bond (Applicant) explained the financing and project details, including development plans, market study information, and activation. Council Members, staff, and Steven Bond further discussed the following: •Distinction between a PAB and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LITEC) application in terms of achieving affordability •Concerns of the Area Median Income (AMI) plus small size of the units with leasability •Clarification and benefits of a future TRAX platform built and partially funded through the development •Confirmation of no risk to the City’s bond rating or debt as co-signers 5.Tentative Break ~ 3:35 p.m. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 5 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 - 6.Resolution: Salt Lake County Hazard Mitigation Plan ~ 3:55 p.m. 20 min. The Council will receive a briefing about the Salt Lake County Hazard Mitigation Plan, which includes information such as demographics, a hazard profile, and identified necessary/potential mitigation projects to minimize damage and loss of life. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires these updates every five years for an entity to be eligible for pre-disaster mitigation funds and post-disaster assistance. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Summary: Michael Sanders presented the item; there was no further discussion. 7.Informational: Salt Lake City Electrified Transportation and Fleet EV Charging Infrastructure Plans ~ 4:15 p.m. 20 min. The Council will receive a briefing on the Community Electrified Transportation Study and the Fleet Electrification Charging Infrastructure Study. Sustainability and Public Services will share the findings and request Council feedback on the studies, implementation strategies, and discussion on the existing policy direction from Joint Resolution 45 of 2020. The materials also include a Donation Agreement between the City and the Kiessner Foundation for the donation of up to 100 electric vehicle charging stations. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 6 TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a Summary: Kate Werrett introduced the item. Catherine Wyffels presented the studies and spoke on the need for more charging stations and infrastructure to support an electrified fleet. Julie Crookston presented a proposed phased plan and long-term funding strategy. Council and staff discussed: •Police Department vehicle details and charging demands/capabilities •Considerations regarding the increase in vehicle and charger purchases in the phased plan •Exploring the option of funding infrastructure work first, with chargers and vehicles purchased later •Alternative funding options provided through grant and private donation opportunities Council Requests: Council Member Petro requested a report on fuel and maintenance savings as compared to expected ongoing operations and maintenance costs. Julie Crookston said a report would be provided. 8.Ordinance: Budget Amendment No.2 for Fiscal Year 2025- 26 ~ 4:35 p.m. 30 min. The Council will receive a briefing about Budget Amendment No.2 for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget. Budget amendments happen several times each year to reflect adjustments to the City’s budgets, including proposed project additions and modifications. The proposed amendment includes funding for the Youth & Family Division in support of YouthCity afterschool programs; funding for the National League of Cities Annual Cities Summit being held in November in Salt Lake City; funding for the Inland Port Authority to help fund the expansion of the Trainfo system; funding for additional Green Bike stations; and grant funding to support victims of violent crimes, among other items. For more information visit tinyurl.com/SLCFY26. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, November 18, 2025 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 7 Summary: Jennifer Bruno provided an introduction to Budget Amendment No. 2 for Fiscal Year 2025-26. Item A-1: Youth & Family Funding Due to Loss of Grant Mary Beth Thompson provided information on this item. Council Members stated their support for and importance of these affected afterschool programs. Item A-2: National League of Cities Annual Cities Summit Costs Austin Kimmel provided information on this item. Mary Beth Thompson noted that costs had increased, changing the request from $300,000 to $330,000. •Straw Poll: Support for a budget amendment to increase funding to $330,000 for the National League of Cities. All Council Members present were in favor with Council Member Young absent. Item A-3: Elected Officials Transition Costs: Michael Sanders provided information on this item; there was no further discussion. Item A-4: 122 East Median Restoration 300 South to 500 South Kate Werrett provided information on this item; there was no further discussion. Item A-5: Modification of Appointed Position at Police Michael Sanders presented this item; there was no further discussion. Item A-6: Reclassification of Police Appointed Position to 2.0 Full Time Employees (FTEs) Michael Sanders presented this item. Council Members and staff clarified that this item along with A-5 were budget-neutral with no employee eliminations within Internal Affairs. •Straw Poll: Support for Police Department position changes. All Council Members present were in favor with Council Member Young absent. Item A-7: Utah Inland Port Authority Funding – Transfer to Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Kate Werrett presented this item; there was no further discussion. Item A-8: Airgas Funding to Transportation – Transfer to CIP Kate Werrett presented this item and noted a private donation would partially fund a street modification project aimed at reducing speeding cars. Council Members expressed concerns over inequities in private street modification projects, and benefits of this project reducing street racing in the area. Council Member Petro brought attention to the Port Authority receiving tax revenue of which would otherwise go towards road upgrades, schools and other constituent needs. •Council Request: Council Member Dugan requested a policy around private entities funding street modification projects. Jennifer Bruno stated they could add MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 8 a Legislative Intent in order to track this. Item A-9: Take-Home Vehicle Insurance Policy Premium Adjustment Michael Sanders presented this item; there was no further discussion. Item A-10: Central Business Improvement Assessment Area (CBIA)-25 Budget Austin Kimmel presented this item; there was no further discussion. Item A-11: Assistance for Airport Federal Partners Due to Government Shutdown Mary Beth Thompson presented the item. Council Members expressed concerns about potential consequences for the Salt Lake City International Airport and federal employees resulting from the government shutdown. •Straw Poll: Support for assistance for Airport federal partners due to government shutdown. All Council Members present were in favor with Council Members Young and Mano absent. 9.Board Appointment: Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board – Cooper Fankhauser ~ 5:05 p.m. 5 min. The Council will interview Cooper Fankhuaser, resident of District 5, prior to considering appointment to the Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board for a term ending June 5, 2028. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Summary: An interview was held. Council Member Wharton stated their name would be on the Consent Agenda for formal consideration. 10.Board Appointment: Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board – Parviz Faiz ~ 5:10 p.m. 5 min. The Council will interview Parviz Faiz, resident of District 3, prior to considering appointment to the Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board for a term ending June 5, 2028. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 9 discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Summary: Council Member Wharton stated the applicant could not attend and would be rescheduled to a future meeting. 11.Board Appointment: Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board – Sean Weeks ~ 5:15 p.m. 5 min. The Council will interview Sean Weeks, resident of District 2, prior to considering appointment to the Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board for a term ending June 5, 2028. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Summary: An interview was held. Council Member Wharton stated their name would be on the Consent Agenda for formal consideration. 12.Board Appointment: Transportation Advisory Board – Samantha DeSeelhorst ~ 5:20 p.m. 5 min. The Council will interview Samantha DeSeelhorst, resident of District 6, prior to considering appointment to the Transportation Advisory Board for a term ending September 25, 2028. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, October 7, 2025 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 10 Summary: An interview was held. Council Member Wharton stated their name would be on the Consent Agenda for formal consideration. Standing Items 13.Report of the Chair and Vice Chair - - Report of Chair and Vice Chair. No report from the Chair or Vice Chair 14.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 scheduling items. No report or announcements from the Executive Director 15.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: 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; MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, October 7, 2025 11 (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 Tuesday, October 7, 2025 12 Meeting adjourned at 5:19 p.m. Minutes Approved: March 10, 2026 _______________________________ City Council Chair – Alejandro Puy _______________________________ 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 Tuesday, October 7, 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 Tuesday, October 7, 2025 13 Alejandro Puy (Mar 11, 2026 15:53:37 EDT) 10-7-2025 Work Session Minutes Approved Final Audit Report 2026-03-11 Created:2026-03-11 By:Caitlin Carlino (caitlin.carlino@slc.gov) Status:Signed Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAQDnoysShxa6cXkhq7lXLPiBuv7jeyDTW "10-7-2025 Work Session Minutes Approved" History Document created by Caitlin Carlino (caitlin.carlino@slc.gov) 2026-03-11 - 6:14:27 PM GMT Document emailed to alejandro.puy@slc.gov for signature 2026-03-11 - 6:15:54 PM GMT Email viewed by alejandro.puy@slc.gov 2026-03-11 - 7:52:52 PM GMT Signer alejandro.puy@slc.gov entered name at signing as Alejandro Puy 2026-03-11 - 7:53:35 PM GMT Document e-signed by Alejandro Puy (alejandro.puy@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2026-03-11 - 7:53:37 PM GMT - Time Source: server Document emailed to Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) for signature 2026-03-11 - 7:53:39 PM GMT Email viewed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) 2026-03-11 - 8:11:09 PM GMT Document e-signed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2026-03-11 - 8:11:34 PM GMT - Time Source: server Agreement completed. 2026-03-11 - 8:11:34 PM GMT