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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/09/2025 - Formal Meeting - MinutesThe City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in Formal Session on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.  The following Council Members were present: Alejandro Puy, Chris Wharton, Daniel Dugan, Darin Mano, Sarah Young, Victoria Petro, Eva Lopez Chavez Present Legislative Leadership: Jennifer Bruno – Executive Director, Lehua Weaver – Deputy Director, Nick Tarbet – Deputy Director Present Administrative Leadership: Mayor Erin Mendenhall,  Jill Love – Chief Administrative Officer, Lindsey Nikola – Deputy Chief of Staff Present City Staff: Mark Kittrell – City Attorney, Keith Reynolds – City Recorder, DeeDee Robinson – Minutes & Records Clerk, Taylor Hill – Constituent Liaison/Policy Analyst, Sylvia Richards – Public Policy Analyst, Scott Corpany – Staff Assistant, Michael Sanders – Budget & Policy Analyst  The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 1 A.OPENING CEREMONY: 1.Council Member Chris Wharton will conduct the formal meeting. 2.Pledge of Allegiance. 3.Welcome and Public Meeting Rules. 4.Recognition of Darin Mano for his service as Council Member for District 5 from January 2020 to December 2025. Summary: Council Members Wharton, Young, Dugan, Lopez Chavez, Petro, Puy, and Mayor Mendenhall recognized Council Member Mano’s service on the Council, expressed appreciation and gratitude for his support, friendship, and commitment to the citizens of Salt Lake City and presented him with a gift. Council Member Mano thanked everyone for their kind words and the gift, expressed gratitude to those who were present for his last meeting, described pride in his accomplishments as a Council Member, and expressed appreciation for the support he received over the course of his term.    B.PUBLIC HEARINGS:   1. Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act Public Hearing for Sky Harbour Hangar Development The Council will accept public comment on the Sky Harbour hangar development on the east side of the Salt Lake City International Airport that consists of the development of an aircraft storage facility situated on 8.4 acres and will include four box hangars. The project 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, December 2, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, November 25, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a    Staff Recommendation - Close the Public Hearing.   MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 2 Summary: Nick Tarbet provided a brief introduction.  There were no public comments.  Motion: Moved by Council Member Dugan, seconded by Council Member Lopez Chavez to close the public hearing. AYE: Alejandro Puy, Chris Wharton, Daniel Dugan, Darin Mano, Sarah Young, Eva Lopez Chavez, Victoria Petro Final Result: 7 – 0 Pass 2. Ordinance: Budget Amendment No.3 for Fiscal Year 2025-26 The Council will accept public comment and consider adopting an ordinance amending the final budget of Salt Lake City, including the employment staffing document for 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 three grants. The first grant would fund license plate reader cameras on major roads to enhance public safety and reduce crime. The second grant would fund the removal of hazardous vegetation from the Jordan River riverbed, banks, and canopy. The third grant would fund expenses relating to homeless shelters, including salary and benefits for existing police officers to maintain public safety in areas surrounding shelters. For more information visit tinyurl.com/SLCFY26.     FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, November 25, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 9, 2025    Staff Recommendation - Refer to motion sheet(s).   Summary: Council Member Wharton provided clarification on Budget Amendment Item E1 – COPS Technology & Equipment Grant – Subaward from Davis County ($224,000) regarding the proposed license plate reader cameras, explaining who would have access to the proposed license plate reader camera data and how it would be used.  Sylvia Richards provided a brief introduction. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 3 Public Comments: Ambreen Kahn spoke in opposition to the Jordan River restoration project noting concerns about disruption to the river’s ecosystem, and to the license plate reader cameras, expressing concerns about the level of detail provided on data access and the effectiveness of the cameras in reducing crime.  Olivia Marron spoke in agreement with the previous speaker and expressed opposition to additional funding for police personnel in the City. David Maack spoke in opposition to the installation of license plate reader cameras in the City, citing data security concerns. Charlie Padilla spoke in opposition to the installation of license plate reader cameras in the City, citing data security concerns. Mac McKinley requested the Council carefully consider the installation of surveillance for the protection of the City’s residents and to reject funding for the license plate reader cameras.  Esiah Rodriquez spoke in opposition to the license plate reader cameras and the vendor, citing concerns about technological vulnerabilities and potential impacts on personal privacy and civil liberties. Kristina Robb spoke in support of the public safety and police officer funding portion of Budget Amendment No. 3.  Ian Furguson spoke in opposition to the installation of license plate readers, citing possible abuse of collected data. Lilah Rosenfield urged the Council to decline further funding for Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) systems, citing concerns of inaccuracies in the City’s public education of their uses. Erik Griffin spoke in opposition of license plate reader cameras and provided information on possible data vulnerabilities. Michaela Leishman spoke to concerns regarding the use of automated license plate readers, citing possible misuse of data and urged the Council to reject the funding for additional cameras. Ben Engel spoke to concerns regarding the installation of license plate reader cameras, citing possible abuse of the data collected. Jacob Johnson spoke in opposition to the installation of additional license plate reader cameras and urged the removal of existing cameras, citing data security concerns.  MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 4 Council Member Remarks: Council Member Petro clarified that the Jordan River Restoration project, in alignment with the Jordan River Blueprint and efforts similar to those of other municipalities, included removal of invasive species, planting of native species and ongoing environmental stewardship of the river.   Council Member Young inquired what further information the Council was seeking related to the deferment of Item E1 – COPS Technology & Equipment Grant – Subaward from Davis County for $224,000. Council Members Lopez Chavez, Petro, and Puy provided reasoning, including: unresolved questions on how the City could end use of the technology, policy refinement that ensured data privacy, further assurances of their scope of use, and the Council’s responsibility to protect its constituents. Council Member Young noted that the City’s future budget and available resources, such as grants, should be considered to ensure fiscal responsibility while continuing to support essential services.   Motion: Moved by Council Member Lopez Chavez, seconded by Council Member Puy to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance 73 of 2025, approving Items E-2 Jordan River Restoration & Recreation Project Grant for $666,000 and Item E-3 FY26 Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Grant for $3,249,704 as proposed by the Administration, and deferring item E-1 COPS Technology & Equipment Grant – Subaward from Davis County for $224,000 to a future meeting. AYE: Alejandro Puy, Chris Wharton, Darin Mano, Eva Lopez Chavez, Victoria Petro NAY: Daniel Dugan, Sarah Young Final Result: 5 – 2 Pass 3. Resolution: Valley Behavioral Health Public Benefit Analysis The Council will accept public comment and consider authorizing the release of Salt Lake City’s reversionary interest in the property currently owned by Valley Behavioral Health at 107 South 800 West. The release would allow for the development of Saltair Lofts, a 68-unit permanent supportive housing project. It would also be executed in exchange for a 50 year Restrictive Use Agreement preserving certain public benefits, most notably, including helping to ensure all units are affordable permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals.    FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, November 25, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 9, 2025    Staff Recommendation - Refer to motion sheet(s). MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 5   Summary: Michael Sanders provided a brief introduction.  There were no public comments.  Motion: Moved by Council Member Dugan, seconded by Council Member Puy to close the public hearing and adopt Resolution 42 of 2025, authorizing the release of Salt Lake City’s reversionary interest in the property currently owned by Valley Behavioral Health at 107 South 800 West. AYE: Alejandro Puy, Chris Wharton, Daniel Dugan, Darin Mano, Sarah Young, Eva Lopez Chavez, Victoria Petro Final Result: 7 – 0 Pass C.POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS: 1. Ordinance: RMF-35 and RMF-45 Multi-Family Zoning District Text Amendment The Council will consider adopting an ordinance 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. Petition No.: PLNPCM2024-01388. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/RMFZoneUpdates.    Council Remarks: Council Member Wharton expressed appreciation for the dialogue on this topic, spoke to concerns regarding impacts on historic districts, and noted he would not be voting in favor of the ordinances.  Council Member Lopez Chavez spoke to remaining concerns regarding Central City and other parts of District 4, particularly parking and the different ways people transport MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 6 themselves in the City, but noted support for the ordinances. Council Member Mano expressed appreciation for the conversations and concerns regarding the zoning changes, noting the complexities of zoning ordinances and land use policies, with an understanding of the differences in viewpoints. Council Member Puy spoke to the balancing of needs and concerns, to the effort made to ensure successful outcomes, and expressed gratitude for all the work done.  Clarification was provided in the January 13, 2026 Formal Meeting Consent Agenda identifying the adoption of four ordinances by the Council: Ordinances No. 74A, No. 74B, and No. 74C, amending portions of the Salt Lake City Code, and Ordinance No. 74D, which effectuates certain map amendments. Petition No.: PLNPCM2024-01388.  Motion: Moved by Council Member Mano, seconded by Council Member Petro to adopt Ordinances 74A, 74B, 74C, and 74D of 2025 that include eliminating the 100-foot maximum building length and increasing the maximum number of dwelling units per building to 50 in the RMF-45 zoning district. AYE: Alejandro Puy, Daniel Dugan, Darin Mano, Sarah Young, Eva Lopez Chavez, Victoria Petro NAY: Chris Wharton Final Result: 6 – 1 Pass D.COMMENTS: 1.Questions to the Mayor from the City Council. There were no questions.   2.Comments to the City Council. (This is a one-hour time slot for the public to comment on any City business not scheduled for a public hearing. Each person will have two minutes to talk. General comment registration closes at 7:30 p.m.) Summary: Michael Christensen spoke regarding their non-profit, Go Unite, the mission of the entity, volunteer and community engagement opportunities, and a petition to prevent companies from integrating humanoid robots into society.  Don Ly spoke to abandoned vehicles left on a newly purchased vacant lot for a small business at 1085 South State Street and the costs involved to remove the vehicles, and asked the Council for support/solutions to remedy the issue.  Olivia Marron spoke of their renewed involvement in local government issues, interest in amplifying safety and privacy for residents, and reiterated their opposition to license plate reader cameras as an unbalanced use of City resources. .  MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 7 Cindy Cromer spoke to working with past Council Members who served three or more terms (Fonnesbeck, Christensen, Godfrey, and Love) and to their post-Council work as they grew onto larger stages and continued public service, noting the relevance to Council Member Mano’s departure and now to Council Member Wharton’s third term on the Council.      E.NEW BUSINESS: 1. Ordinance: Enacting Temporary Zoning Regulations - Volunteers of America Youth Resource Center The Council will consider adopting an ordinance enacting a temporary zoning regulation authorizing the Volunteers of America Youth Resource Center at approximately 888 South 400 West to increase the maximum capacity up to fifty individuals, as long as the maximum occupancy meets building and fire code safety standard, for up to 180 days.    FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 9, 2025    Staff Recommendation - Suspend the rules and consider motions.   Motion: Moved by Council Member Lopez Chavez, seconded by Council Member Petro to adopt Ordinance 72 of 2025, enacting temporary zoning regulations authorizing temporary increase in overnight capacity at the youth homeless resource center at 888 South 400 West. AYE: Alejandro Puy, Chris Wharton, Daniel Dugan, Darin Mano, Sarah Young, Eva Lopez Chavez, Victoria Petro Final Result: 7 – 0 Pass   F.UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NONE. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 8   G.CONSENT: 1. Ordinance: Consolidated Fee Schedule Corrections – Public Utilities The Council will set the date of Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. to accept public comment and consider adopting an ordinance amending the Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule (CFS). During the budget process for fiscal year 2025-26, the CFS was updated with several changes. After the schedule was approved and adopted by the Council, Departments noticed errors and omissions that needed to be corrected. The changes include adding the Title "Fire Lines" and the Description "Per Inch" to one of the rate tables in the CFS for Public Utilities.    FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, and Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, January 20, 2026    Staff Recommendation - Set date.   2. Board Appointment: Historic Landmark Commission – Mark McGrath The Council will consider approving the appointment of Mark McGrath, resident of District 7, to the Historic Landmark Commission for a term ending December 9, 2029.    FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 9, 2025    Staff Recommendation - Approve. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 9   Motion: Moved by Council Member Petro, seconded by Council Member Lopez Chavez to approve the Consent Agenda. AYE: Alejandro Puy, Chris Wharton, Daniel Dugan, Darin Mano, Sarah Young, Eva Lopez Chavez, Victoria Petro Final Result: 7 – 0 Pass H.ADJOURNMENT:       MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, December 9, 2025 10 Meeting adjourned at 8:45 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 Formal meeting held Tuesday, December 9, 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, December 9, 2025 11 Alejandro Puy (Mar 27, 2026 08:32:18 EDT) *Approved March 10, 2026* - December 9, 2025 Formal Minutes Final Audit Report 2026-03-27 Created:2026-03-16 By:DeeDee Robinson (deedee.robinson@slc.gov) Status:Signed Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAr03AEtb564sBzkGQ3L_y8iHSFqgJRpIl "*Approved March 10, 2026* - December 9, 2025 Formal Minute s" History Document created by DeeDee Robinson (deedee.robinson@slc.gov) 2026-03-16 - 3:33:36 PM GMT Document emailed to alejandro.puy@slc.gov for signature 2026-03-16 - 3:34:24 PM GMT Email viewed by alejandro.puy@slc.gov 2026-03-16 - 6:42:13 PM GMT Email viewed by alejandro.puy@slc.gov 2026-03-26 - 2:29:11 AM GMT Signer alejandro.puy@slc.gov entered name at signing as Alejandro Puy 2026-03-27 - 12:32:16 PM GMT Document e-signed by Alejandro Puy (alejandro.puy@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2026-03-27 - 12:32:18 PM GMT - Time Source: server Document emailed to Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) for signature 2026-03-27 - 12:32:20 PM GMT Email viewed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) 2026-03-27 - 2:37:52 PM GMT Document e-signed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2026-03-27 - 2:39:08 PM GMT - Time Source: server Agreement completed. 2026-03-27 - 2:39:08 PM GMT