HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/02/2025 - Work Session - MinutesThe City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in Work Session on Tuesday, December 2, 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,
Lindsey Nikola – Deputy Chief of Staff, Megan Yuill – Deputy Chief Administration Officer
Present City Staff:
Mark Kittrell – City Attorney, Keith Reynolds – City Recorder, Caitlin Carlino – Minutes &
Records Clerk, Thais Stewart – Deputy City Recorder, Scott Corpany – Staff Assistant, Brian
Fullmer – Public Policy Analyst, Nick Norris – Planning Director, Tammy Hunsaker – Director
of Community and Neighborhoods, Kristina Gilmore – Planning Manager, Laura Briefer –
Public Utilities Director, Sylvia Richards – Public Policy Analyst, Austin Kimmel – Public Policy
Analyst, Aaron Barlow – Senior Planner, Bill Wyatt – Executive Director of Airports, Brian
Butler – Airport Chief Financial Officer, Michael Sanders – Public Policy Analyst, Debbie Lyons
– Sustainability Director, Mike Akerlow – Deputy Director of Community Services, Greg Cleary
– Budget Director, Andrew Reed – Deputy Budget Director, Jacob Jorgensen – Financial
Analyst, Craig Weinheimer – Civil Enforcement Supervisor, Mary Beth Thompson – Chief
Financial Officer
The meeting was called to order at 2:08 p.m.
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 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
This item was postponed to a future meeting.
2.Informational: Reviewing Household Occupancy Definitions ~ 2:15 p.m.
25 min.
The Council will receive a briefing and provide direction on options to update and expand
the definition of family in zoning code as it relates to the number of unrelated people
permitted to live in one home. The Council recently declared an intent to increase or
eliminate the current maximum number as part of the City's work to improve access to
affordable housing.
FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion)
Briefing - Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Set Public Hearing Date - n/a
Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a
TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a
Summary:
Brian Fullmer provided an introduction. Nick Norris, alongside Craig Weinheimer,
presented the legislative intent and contextual information surrounding the household
occupancy definitions. Three possible Council actions were presented:
•Option 1: Maintain the current family definition but increase the number of
unrelated people living together to five, not addressing issues with current code
•Option 2: Increase the number of unrelated people in a household to five and allow
a combination of family types, not addressing the issue of determining whether
residents are related
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
2
•Option 3: Remove the occupant limit, not differentiating between related and
unrelated people living together
Council Members and staff discussed whether the definition should account for the
number of bedrooms and/or bathrooms rather than number of individuals, and
general support for the third and least strict option but with stipulation to include
possible enforcement tools in order to avoid overcrowding in a home.
Straw Poll:
Support for Option 3, with all Council Members present in favor. Council Members
Young and Lopez Chavez were absent.
3.Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act Public Hearing for
Sky Harbour Hangar Development ~ 2:40 p.m.
20 min.
The Council will receive a briefing 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
Summary:
Nick Tarbet provided the introduction. Bill Wyatt presented the item and outlined
current efficiency challenges at the Salt Lake City International Airport due to a large
number of small aircraft, plans for hangar development on the east side of the airport
which would alleviate this issue, and the preference for constructing larger hangars
rather than smaller ones. Brian Butler described the financial and operational advantages
of Salt Lake City partnering with Sky Harbour.
Eric Stolpman (Senior Vice President, Sky Harbour Group) provided an overview of
the company and outlined anticipated public benefits, including direct and indirect
revenue to Salt Lake City with no financial obligation/risk, private investment that would
revert to the City at the end of the ground lease, job creation and retention, reduced noise
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
3
from newer aircraft models, and corporate social responsibility efforts such as paid
aviation internships for local and underserved residents.
Council Members and staff discussed how the development of Sky Harbour hangars
could reduce overall flight activity and air pollution and improve operational efficiency at
the Salt Lake International Airport, and confirmed that the return of the revenues to the
General Operating Fund of the airport was a public benefit.
Council Requests:
Council Member Dugan requested annual projections of reduction in noise pollution, air
pollution and traffic due to estimated reduction in flights. Eric Stolpman said
that information would be provided.
Council Member Young arrived during this agenda item.
4.Informational: Salt Lake Valley Landfill Proposed Budget 2026 ~ 3:00 p.m.
25 min.
The Council will receive an briefing about the proposed budget for the Salt Lake Valley
Solid Waste Management Facility, which is included in the annual budget process for Salt
Lake County. Following their public comment period, the County Council is expected to
adopt their final budget in early December.
For more information visit https://www.saltlakecounty.gov/finance/budget/budget-
documents/.
FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion)
Briefing - Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Set Public Hearing Date - n/a
Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a
TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a
Summary:
Michael Sanders and Debbie Lyons provided an introduction.
Lisa Hartman (Associate Deputy Mayor, Salt Lake County) presented the item and
outlined projected 2026 budget of $21 million and anticipated revenue of $22.2 million,
inclusion in those estimates, planned rate increases for services and products, and
proposed fund balance expenditures. Lisa Hartman also expressed appreciation for the
partnership with Salt Lake City and noted that the City’s waste-disposal rate would not
increase from $29 per ton.
Council Members and staff discussed:
•Updated projections for landfill capacity, noting the anticipated fill date
had shifted from 40 years to 50 years due to improved waste-disposal efficiencies
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
4
and the opening of the Trans-Jordan Landfill facility, which was expected to reduce
system pressure
•The “tipping fee” associated with materials collected throughout the city and along
roadways
•The value of garbage sorting enforcement
•Ongoing outreach efforts
•Salt Lake City’s recycling contamination rate being among the lowest in the
country and generating revenue
Council Requests:
Council Member Petro requested a review of emergency response and relief dump fee
waivers, noting that past emergencies revealed barriers to timely cleanup. Lisa Hartman
stated that formal approval would be required for any fee waiver process and they could
look into this as a potential policy and follow up.
Council Member Puy requested information on recycling program efforts and
data/outcomes compared to other cities, in order to present to residents the benefits of
recycling. Debbie Lyons said the information would be provided.
5.Tentative Break ~ 3:25 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 -
Council Member Lopez Chavez arrived to the meeting during the break.
6.Resolution: Valley Behavioral Health Public Benefit Analysis ~ 3:45 p.m.
20 min.
The Council will receive a briefing about a resolution 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
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
5
Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 7 p.m.
TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Summary:
Michael Sanders introduced the item. Mike Akerlow, alongside Tammy Hunsaker,
provided information on the change of ownership requiring a reversionary interest
release, described the positive work of Valley Behavioral Health with formerly homeless
individuals, and noted a change in the lender on the project contained in the transmittal.
Council Members, staff, and Melissa Jensen (Developer, Giv Group) discussed:
•Project timeline and next steps for the development
•Concerns that the density of low-income/supportive housing in the area along with
lack of mixed-income housing would create an isolated and unsafe environment,
potentially hindering efforts for those in recovery
•Land use agreement, foreclosure scenarios, and impact fee waiver associated with
the project
7.Ordinance: Budget Amendment No.3 for Fiscal Year 2025-
26 ~ 4:05 p.m.
30 min.
The Council will receive a briefing about Budget Amendment No.3 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 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
Summary:
Sylvia Richards provided an introduction. Greg Cleary and Andrew Reed, alongside Mary
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
6
Beth Thompson, presented the budget amendment which included three grant items, and
other updated revenue information.
Council Members and staff discussed:
•$700k in revenue from the natural gas tax and possible trends that might have
contributed to decreased usage
•Support for the Finance Department to present revenue updates once per month
to the Council
•Revenue projection updates based on early reporting and accrual
•Additional grant information, including details on the new license plate readers
installed on traffic light poles at major intersections, the Jordan River restoration
project, and the funding of additional Police officers related to homeless shelters
and public safety
Council Member Requests:
Council Member Petro requested guarantees for protections of residents’ private
information regarding the new license plate readers. Sylvia Richards said the information
would be provided.
Council Member Petro requested information on the origin of the Jordan River cleanup
grant. Sylvia Richards said the information would be provided.
8.Ordinance: RMF-35 and RMF-45 Multi-Family Zoning District
Text Amendment Follow-Up ~ 4:35 p.m.
20 min.
The Council will receive a follow-up 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 and Tuesday, December 2, 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 9, 2025
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
7
Summary:
Brian Fullmer introduced the item, including a previous council request to review
changes to the ordinance that would address resident concerns. Aaron Barlow and Krissy
Gilmore presented Council straw poll options, with photo examples of existing properties
over 100 feet in length.
Council Member and staff discussed:
•General support for removing the 100-foot facade length and keeping the 110-foot
lot width maximum
•Clarification that consolidating lots could not be done to make a larger building
•Potential adjustments of up to 50 units per building in one or both RMF zones
•The implications of changing setbacks from four feet to five feet and the Planning
Commission’s recommendation for four feet
•Clarification that setbacks were limited to a certain percentage of a wall along with
window options changing depending on the setback
Straw Poll:
Support for Option 1 and Option 2B, reducing the 100-foot front facade length
maximum, retaining the 110-foot lot width maximum and modifying the number of
dwellings per unit up to 50 only in the RMF-45 zone. All Council Members present were
in favor.
9.Ordinance: Consolidated Fee Schedule Corrections – Public
Utilities Follow-Up ~ 4:55 p.m.
20 min.
The Council will receive a follow-up briefing about 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 - n/a
Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a
TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Summary:
Austin Kimmel presented staff recommendations to credit customers for fire line fees
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
8
charged since July 1, 2025 up until adoption of the corrected Consolidated Fee Schedule
(CFS) language, phase-in options, and proposed edits to the rate table.
Council Members, Laura Briefer, and Jacob Jorgensen discussed:
•Overall Council satisfaction with mechanisms that could manage the fees and
communication efforts between departments as they navigated this issue
•Clarification of the fire line portion being between 1% and 5% of the total utility bill
•Forthcoming policy conversations and solutions alongside Public Utilities to
address high water bills being attributed to sewer usage, particularly for smaller,
multi-family homes
•Phase-in scenarios if the phases were drawn out or if a resident were to move
•Clarification and legality concerns with reverting to 2025 rates regarding base
refunds to customers
•Next steps for a public hearing in January 2026 and crafting a clear ordinance
Straw Polls:
Support for crediting customers for the “per inch” multiplier portion of the fire line fee
paid since July 1, 2025 until corrected and adopted CFS language, while retaining the
base monthly fee amount as was currently written in fee table. All Council Members
present were in favor.
Support for fully implementing the fee with no phase-in. Council Member Mano was not
in favor and all other Council Members present were in favor.
10.Board Appointment: Citizens Compensation Advisory
Committee - David Warnock ~ 5:15 p.m.
5 min.
The Council will interview David Warnock, resident of Davis County, prior to
considering appointment to the Citizens Compensation Advisory Committee (CCAC) for
a term ending December 2, 2029.
FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council
discussion)
Briefing - Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Set Public Hearing Date - n/a
Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a
TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 2, 2025
An interview was held. Council Member Wharton stated their name would be on the
Consent Agenda for formal consideration.
11.Board Appointment: Metropolitan Water District Board –
Ralph Becker ~ 5:20 p.m.
5 min.
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
9
The Council will interview Ralph Becker, resident of District 2, prior to considering
appointment to the Metropolitan Water District Board for a term ending December 2,
2029.
FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion)
Briefing - Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Set Public Hearing Date - n/a
Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a
TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 2, 2025
An interview was held. Council Member Wharton stated their name would be on the
Consent Agenda for formal consideration.
12.Board Appointment: Metropolitan Water District Board –
Daniel Salmon ~ 5:25 p.m.
5 min.
The Council will interview Daniel Salmon, resident of District 1, prior to considering
appointment to the Metropolitan Water District Board for a term ending December 2,
2029.
FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion)
Briefing - Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Set Public Hearing Date - n/a
Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a
TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, December 2, 2025
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
10
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.
There was no report of the Chair and 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.
Summary:
Jennifer Bruno presented to the Council a future and optional Council Retreat date of
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, provided additional details of the retreat, and asked for
Council Members to follow-up with staff regarding their availability.
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
MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
11
(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.
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, December 2, 2025
12
Meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Minutes Approved: April 7, 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, December 2, 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 2, 2025
13
Alejandro Puy (Apr 15, 2026 17:33:04 MDT)
12-2-2025 Work Session Meeting Minutes
Final Audit Report 2026-04-16
Created:2026-04-15
By:Caitlin Carlino (caitlin.carlino@slc.gov)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAATpoLOE9j_AivTRBt80cOPhPg5P1S4jgj
"12-2-2025 Work Session Meeting Minutes" History
Document created by Caitlin Carlino (caitlin.carlino@slc.gov)
2026-04-15 - 6:21:44 PM GMT
Document emailed to alejandro.puy@slc.gov for signature
2026-04-15 - 6:27:46 PM GMT
Email viewed by alejandro.puy@slc.gov
2026-04-15 - 11:32:45 PM GMT
Signer alejandro.puy@slc.gov entered name at signing as Alejandro Puy
2026-04-15 - 11:33:02 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Alejandro Puy (alejandro.puy@slc.gov)
Signature Date: 2026-04-15 - 11:33:04 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Document emailed to Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) for signature
2026-04-15 - 11:33:06 PM GMT
Email viewed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov)
2026-04-16 - 3:05:54 PM GMT
Document e-signed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov)
Signature Date: 2026-04-16 - 3:11:32 PM GMT - Time Source: server
Agreement completed.
2026-04-16 - 3:11:32 PM GMT