The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About01/13/2026 - Work Session - MinutesThe City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in Work Session on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The following Council Members were present: Victoria Petro, Alejandro Puy, Chris Wharton, Eva Lopez Chavez, Erika Carlsen, Daniel Dugan, Sarah Young 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 Administrative Officer Present City Staff: Mark Kittrell – City Attorney, Keith Reynolds – City Recorder, Caitlin Carlino – Minutes & Records Clerk, Andrew Johnston – Director of Homelessness Policy and Outreach, Weston Clark – Mayor's Senior Advisor, Scott Corpany – Staff Assistant, Mary Beth Thompson – Chief Financial Officer, Greg Cleary – Budget Director, Andrew Reed – Deputy Budget Director, Michael Sanders – Budget & Policy Analyst, Kate Werrett – Budget & Policy Analyst, Kira Luke – Communications & Policy Analyst, Angela Price – Legislative Affairs Director, Jorge Chamorro – Director of Public Services, Julie Crookston – Deputy Director of Public Services, Brian Redd – Chief of Police The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, January 13, 2026 1 Work Session Items 1.Nomination of Council Chair and Vice Chair for Calendar Year 2026 ~ 4:00 p.m. 15 min. The Council will take a straw poll to nominate the Council Chair and Vice Chair for calendar year 2026. The process includes expressions of interest from Council Members, nominations for each position, and then voting each for the Chair and Vice Chair positions. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Summary: Council Member Dugan nominated Council Member Puy for Council Chair. Council Member Lopez Chavez seconded the nomination. Council Member Dugan moved to close nominations. All Council Members were in favor of closing the nominations. Council Members then cast their votes via paper ballots. Results were confirmed by the City Attorney and City Recorder with seven votes for Council Member Puy as Council Chair. Council Member Young nominated Council Member Carlsen for Council Vice Chair. Council Member Dugan seconded the nomination. Council Member Wharton moved to close nominations. Council Member Young seconded closing the nominations. All Council Members were in favor of closing the nominations. Council Members then cast their votes via paper ballots. Results were confirmed by the City Attorney and City Recorder with seven votes for Council Member Carlsen as Council Vice Chair. Council Members Puy and Carlsen made remarks stating appreciation, humility and preparedness in leading the Council as Chair and Vice Chair. 2.Informational: Updates from the Administration ~ 4:15 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) MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, January 13, 2026 2 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 the community engagement highlights, which included: •A reminder for the public to utilize shape.slc.gov •District-specific park and project updates •600/700 North Street reconstruction project updates and website with further information at 600northslc.org •2025 Love Your Block program briefing Andrew Johnston presented the homelessness updates, which included: •Homeless Resource Center utilization above 100% •Rapid Response Team outcomes and reductions in homeless camps due to increase in shelter beds •Code Blue and Unsheltered Utah requests for volunteers with a link for more information at justserve.org/projects/3e6849d0-e8b3-4fd9-942f-b1a0376980bd •Upcoming resource fairs •2026 Point In Time Count requests for volunteers with a link for more information at endutahhomelessness.org/salt-lake-valley/salt-lake-county-pit-count Council Request: Council Member Carlsen requested tangible results from the Love Your Block program. Weston Clark stated that they would work to quantify the program’s feedback/results. 3.Utah Open Meetings Law Training, Code of Conduct, and Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) Training ~ 4:30 p.m. 30 min. The Council will receive a briefing from the City Attorney’s Office about the Utah Open Meetings Law and Code of Conduct, and from the Recorder's Office about the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). This briefing will serve as the annual trainings for both the City Council and the Community Reinvestment Agency Board of Directors. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, January 13, 2026 3 Summary: Mark Kittrell provided a brief introduction and presented Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) Law, Council Code of Conduct, and Government Records and Access Management Act (GRAMA) training to Council, as required by Utah State Code. Keith Reynolds presented the 2025 GRAMA request statistics. Council and staff discussed how police report requests must be handled as official GRAMA requests, and Lehua Weaver outlined how GRAMA requests were processed within the Council Office. 4.Informational: State Legislative Briefing ~ 5:00 p.m. 15 min. The Council will receive a briefing about issues affecting the City that may arise during the 2026 Utah State Legislative Session. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a Summary: Angela Price provided a brief introduction, noted the Legislative Affairs team’s work as the 2026 Utah State Legislative Session was set to begin, and presented the following updates: •Salt Lake City priorities and values •Utah State priorities as established by the House and the Senate •Number of expected bills to be introduced and methods by which the City tracked and categorized them, available for the public to view at https://www.slc.gov/attorney/legislative-affairs/ •Specific bills to watch regarding Truth in Taxation, property taxes, state/higher education budget cuts, gas tax, land use, Police Officers, and social justice issues •Homeless campus legislative conversation updates •Transportation amendment targeting Salt Lake City roads (SB-195) Council Members and Angela Price discussed clarification on a bill that may impact City employees who identified as transgender, importance of addressing housing issues, bills potentially affecting homelessness, and pride in community members practicing their civic engagement. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, January 13, 2026 4 5.Informational: 2025 Roadway Construction Net Maintenance ~ 5:15 p.m. 20 min. The Council will receive a briefing from the Public Services Department on the 2025 roadway construction net maintenance and the impact of newly completed construction projects to overall maintenance needs. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a Summary: Kate Werrett introduced the item, noting a 2% maintenance budget increase for the Streets Division and new employee needs being discussed as an initial step rather than a formal request. Jorge Chamorro and Julie Crookston presented the annual report, identifying inventory growth and increased maintenance costs. Council Members and staff discussed the cost of maintenance compared to initial investment, the importance of maintenance within the first seven years of project completion—particularly the use of slurry seal and chip seal to extend roadway life—and how maintenance investment strategies could be applied to other City assets. Council Request: Council Member Young requested information on the process of maintenance prioritization. Julie Crookston stated they would provide that information to Council in small group meetings or a presentation. 6.Ordinance: Budget Amendment No.4 for Fiscal Year 2025- 26 ~ 5:35 p.m. 30 min. The Council will receive a briefing about Budget Amendment No.4 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 the rescoping of Open Streets funds, a mobile command center purchase, Old Library (formerly known as the Leonardo) capital improvements, a pedestrian bridge, and Fleet purchases, among other items. For more information visit tinyurl.com/SLCFY26. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, January 13, 2026 5 Briefing - Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, January 13, 2026 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Summary: Kate Werrett and Greg Cleary introduced the item. Mary Beth Thompson stated that Greg Cleary would be leaving employment at Salt Lake City for international opportunities and thanked him for his service. Andrew Reed presented the revenue forecast. Greg Cleary presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 budget amendment, its effects on the General Fund (GF) and revenue, and a fund balance change from 11.1% to 16.91%, above the 13% target. Council received clarity that the fund balance increases were one-time funds and not ongoing funds. •Council Request: Council Member Young requested information on the $272 in gains on property dispositions in the revenue forecast. Andrew Reed stated they would follow up with that information. Council Members and staff reviewed and discussed several budget amendment items: Item A-10: Backhoe for Public Services Streets Division & Tractor for Public Lands Parks Division (General Fund: One-time – $292,819) Kate Werrett presented the item. Council Members and Julie Crookston discussed the future use plans for the equipment. •Straw Poll: Support for Item A-10, funding for the backhoe for Public Services Streets Division and tractor for Public Lands Parks Division. All Council Members were in favor. Item A-17: Justice Court, City Prosecutor’s Office and Legal Defenders Association (LDA) Staffing Increases (General Fund: Ongoing – $189,749 & IMS: One-time – $9,000) Michael Sanders presented the item. Council Members, Mary Beth Thompson, Richard Mauro (Executive Director of the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association), Jill Love, and Will Carlson (Deputy District Attorney, Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office) discussed funding for the proposed sixth Justice Court judge and associated staff; timing related to onboarding staff; recent increases in judicial caseloads; the importance of upholding constitutional rights/due process; and a variety of factors accounted for in the Mayor’s proposed budget as they related to funding new attorneys. •Straw Poll: Support for Item A-17, budget allocation related to the Justice Court, Prosecutor, and City Attorney. All Council Members were in favor. •Council Request: Council Member Petro requested of the LDA an efficiency audit or annual report to evaluate how funding was allocated, identify potential redundancies, and ensure resources were maximized in support of the MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, January 13, 2026 6 organization’s mission and outcomes. Item D-5: Streets GO Bonds Interest Reallocation for FY 2025-26 (Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Fund, One-time – $1,735515.83, Budget Neutral) Kira Luke presented the item; there was no further discussion. •Straw Poll: Support for Item D-5, approval of Streets GO Bond interest reallocation. All Council Members were in favor. Item A-14: Police Overtime Funding (General Fund, One-time – $3,810,941) Michael Sanders presented the item. Council Members and Chief Brian Redd discussed appreciation for officers’ service; fiscal responsibility in the budget with regard to police overtime while maintaining public safety; staffing efficiency strategies, including a recent pay raise for officers; and the importance of officer wellness, rest, and retention. •Straw Poll: Support for Item A-14, budget amendment request specific to police overtime. All Council Members were in favor. Chief Brian Redd then addressed the need for a police mobile command post, citing recent reliance on Fire Department resources and its importance during large-scale and critical incidents. Council Members, Mary Beth Thompson and Chief Brian Redd discussed police retirement costs and budgetary challenges/strategies. Item D-1: Legislative Affairs Operating Budget (General Fund: Ongoing – $80,000) Michael Sanders Presented the item; there was no further discussion. Standing Items 7.Report of the Chair and Vice Chair - - Report of Chair and Vice Chair. There was no report of the Chair and Vice Chair. 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: •Financial Disclosure, and •Scheduling Items. Summary: MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, January 13, 2026 7 Lehua Weaver and Nick Tarbet reminded Council Members to submit their annual conflict of interest disclosure forms and reviewed legislative committee assignments, which Council agreed to continue. Staff also announced that the legislative subcommittee meetings would begin the following day and occur weekly during the legislative session. 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: 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. 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, January 13, 2026 8 Meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m. Minutes Approved: April 21, 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, January 13, 2026 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, January 13, 2026 9 Alejandro Puy (Apr 22, 2026 11:15:31 EDT) 1-13-2026 Work Session Meeting Minutes Final Audit Report 2026-04-22 Created:2026-04-22 By:Caitlin Carlino (caitlin.carlino@slc.gov) Status:Signed Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAAmp6m2YtQyawjWSyIvVjEfC7IrC9ek3zR "1-13-2026 Work Session Meeting Minutes" History Document created by Caitlin Carlino (caitlin.carlino@slc.gov) 2026-04-22 - 2:28:20 PM GMT Document emailed to alejandro.puy@slc.gov for signature 2026-04-22 - 2:30:16 PM GMT Email viewed by alejandro.puy@slc.gov 2026-04-22 - 3:15:01 PM GMT Signer alejandro.puy@slc.gov entered name at signing as Alejandro Puy 2026-04-22 - 3:15:29 PM GMT Document e-signed by Alejandro Puy (alejandro.puy@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2026-04-22 - 3:15:31 PM GMT - Time Source: server Document emailed to Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) for signature 2026-04-22 - 3:15:32 PM GMT Email viewed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) 2026-04-22 - 4:54:02 PM GMT Document e-signed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2026-04-22 - 4:54:12 PM GMT - Time Source: server Agreement completed. 2026-04-22 - 4:54:12 PM GMT