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Home My WebLink About03/10/2026 - Work Session - MinutesThe City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in Work Session on Tuesday, March 10, 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, 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 – Public Policy Analyst, Scott Corpany – Staff Assistant, Brian Fullmer – Public Policy Analyst, Sylvia Richards – Public Policy Analyst, Kristina Gilmore – Planning Manager, Aaron Barlow – Senior Planner, Laura Briefer – Public Utilities Director, Jesse Stewart – Public Utilities Deputy Director, Felica Baca – Arts Division Director, Renato Olmedo-Gonzalez – Arts Council Program Manager, Tamara Prue – Water Resources Manager, John Wells – Hydrology Manager, David Buchanan – Chief Human Resources Officer, Michael Jenson – Senior Compensation Analyst The meeting was called to order at 4:42 p.m. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 10, 2026 1 Work Session Items 1.Informational: Public Art Allocation Fiscal Year 2026 ~ 4:30 p.m. 20 min. The Council will receive a briefing from the Arts Council seeking feedback on the allocation of $14,000 ($2,000 per district) to the Community and Neighborhoods/Arts Council budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The purpose of these funds is to create public arts programs for small and/or fast district-based projects that pursue and facilitate public- private partnerships, feature an equitable and transparent process, and include the input of the respective Council Member. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a Summary: Sylvia Richards provided an introduction. Felicia Baca and Renato Olmedo-Gonzalez provided information regarding: •A nearly 2,000-foot long new public infrastructure artwork project being finalized on the 400 South Viaduct Trail between 500 West and 765 West named Strut, created by the artist Haddad/Drugan •Three proposed art concepts, with one project selected for each of the seven Council districts: ◦Option 1: Artist Residency – Hosted at a Salt Lake City Public Library branch within the district ◦Option 2: Intersection & Sidewalk Art – Temporary public art installed at one desginated 4-way intersection per district ◦Option 3: Community Art Banners – “Salt Lake City Stories” themed panels and banners displayed at key neighborhood locations •Wake The Great Salt Lake project, which would provide temporary public art projects in all seven Council districts, was planned to begin on March 25 & 26, 2026 Council Members and staff discussed benefits, value, ease of readiness and funding between the three proposed art concepts. Straw Poll: Support for Option 3. All Council Members present were in favor. MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 10, 2026 2 2.Ordinance: Zoning Map Amendment at Approximately 256 East 300 South ~ 4:50 p.m. 20 min. The Council will receive a briefing about a proposal that would amend the zoning of the property at approximately 256 East 300 South from R-MU (Residential/Mixed-Use) to D-1 (Central Business District). The proposal would allow the potential development of a hotel within a new 185-foot building. If adopted, the applicant would then need to submit the necessary development applications, and the project would need to comply with all relevant regulations within the City zoning ordinance. The Planning Commission forwarded a negative recommendation. Consideration may be given to rezoning the property to another zoning district with similar characteristics. The project is within Council District 4. Petitioner: Emily Nelson of Fourier Architects, representing the property owner. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Hold hearing to accept public comment - Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 7 p.m. TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, April 21, 2026 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 10, 2026 3 Summary: Brian Fullmer provided an introduction. Kristina Gilmore and Aaron Barlow provided information regarding the request, including: •Zoning for the property recently changed from R-MU to MU-8 •The Planning Commission recommending a denial of the request and rationale for denial •Impacts of a D-1 zoning change Shawn Wade (Applicant) described the lengthy process through which a hotel was determined to be the most feasible use for the property and detailed the proposed community benefits of the development; noting that safety in the surrounding neighborhood would increase, and that hotel amenities would be made available for public use. Council Members and Shawn Wade discussed: •Concerns regarding proposed height and lack of setbacks •Council’s preference for housing rather than a hotel on the site •The provision of public amenities in the proposal (fitness center, bar, restaurant, pool, retail shops, etc.) •Possibility of adding housing into the proposal •Prior petitions to revitalize the property •Willingness to work with the owner to seek alternatives to a hotel 3.Informational: Water and Snowpack Report ~ 5:10 p.m. 20 min. The Council will receive a briefing from the Department of Public Utilities about the status of water runoff, snowpack, and water supply projections. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a Summary: MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 10, 2026 4 Tamara Prue, John Wells, Jesse Stewart, and Laura Briefer presented information regarding: •Details of Salt Lake City’s water service area •Determination of annual water supply •Current snow pack water supply reporting to be 60% of the median •Soil moisture levels exceeding average •Key reservoir levels approaching close to normal levels •Great Salt Lake measuring at 4192’ elevation Council Members and Laura Briefer discussed: •The department’s efforts to convey conservation recommendations with high/institutional water users •Stages of the drought/water contingency plan •The department anticipating conservation in this years’ revenue projections to avoid budget shortfalls •The City’s water usage via tributaries of the Colorado River (through agreements with the Metropolitan Water District) and if the recent expiration of the Colorado Compact would affect that use 4.Informational: Citizens’ Compensation Advisory Committee 2026 Annual Report ~ 5:30 p.m. 20 min. The Council will receive a briefing from the Citizens’ Compensation Advisory Committee on the 2026 Annual Report. The report includes information and recommendations about market comparisons of City employee salaries and compensation strategies and is presented for consideration each year prior to the City's budget review process. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - n/a Summary: David Buchanan, Mike Jenson, and Clair Baldwin (Chair, CCAC) presented information regarding the Citizens Compensation Advisory Committee (CCAC) report findings, including: •Consideration of current market conditions, and the committee’s recommendation to increase the City’s overall salary budget by no less than 3.5%, and an overall increase to salary ranges of no less than 2.5% •CCAC recognition that Salt Lake City employees faced a volume of diverse situations and challenges not seen by most other municipal entities in the state; MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 10, 2026 5 therefore compensation was an important factor in attracting and retaining employees •A recommendation, as funds permitted, for the Mayor and City Council to appropriate financial resources necessary to grant market rate salary adjustments for employees in benchmark jobs identified as lagging; ◦Priority to be given to those lagging significantly; and, ◦Second priority to be given to those lagging slightly behind market Council Members, Clair Baldwin, Michael Jenson, and David Buchanan discussed: •Pay for Police and Fire employees positions lagging in pay, with much of their pay structure being dependent on union agreements •The introduction of a viewable total rewards package for both current and prospective employees that included base wages, vacation benefits, retirement packages, etc. 5.Board Appointment: Airport Board – Jonathan Gardner ~ 5:50 p.m. 5 min. The Council will interview Jonathan Gardner, resident of District 6, prior to considering appointment to the Airport Board for a term ending March 10, 2030. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, March 10, 2026 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 10, 2026 6 Summary: Interview held. Council Member Wharton said Jonathan Gardner’s name would be on the Consent Agenda for formal consideration. 6.Board Appointment: Airport Board – Lisa Ramsey Adams ~ 5:55 p.m. 5 min. The Council will interview Lisa Ramsey Adams, resident of District 7, prior to considering appointment to the Airport Board for a term ending March 10, 2030. FYI – Project Timeline: (subject to change per Chair direction or Council discussion) Briefing - Tuesday, March 10, 2026 Set Public Hearing Date - n/a Hold hearing to accept public comment - n/a TENTATIVE Council Action - Tuesday, March 10, 2026 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 10, 2026 7 Summary: Interview held. Council Member Wharton said Lisa Ramsey Adams’ name would be on the Consent Agenda for formal consideration. Standing Items 7.Report of the Chair and Vice Chair - - Report of the Chair and Vice Chair Item not held. 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 scheduling items. Summary: Jennifer Bruno raised the following items for Council consideration: •The Chamber of Commerce’s Under One Sky Awards Gala, taking place on May 21, 2026 at the Grand America Hotel and a request for Council to inform staff their interest in attending •Seeking to add the Council’s support of a request from Representative Moore to fund $1.7 M in emergency response vehicles for the Police Department, specifying the acquisition of large-capacity transport vans rather than armored vehicles 9.Tentative Closed Meeting - - The Council will consider a motion to enter into closed meeting. A closed meeting described under Utah Code Annotated (UCA) Section §52-4-205 may be held for specific purposes including, but not limited to discussing: 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: MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, March 10, 2026 8 (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, March 10, 2026 9 Meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m. Minutes Approved: June 2, 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, March 10, 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, March 10, 2026 10 Alejandro Puy (Jun 10, 2026 14:03:11 MDT) *Approved June 2, 2026* - March 10, 2026 Work Session Minutes Final Audit Report 2026-06-10 Created:2026-06-05 By:DeeDee Robinson (deedee.robinson@slc.gov) Status:Signed Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAATnTgubu6qRsupP0rZPkZAqCehgcch6kZ "*Approved June 2, 2026* - March 10, 2026 Work Session Minut es" History Document created by DeeDee Robinson (deedee.robinson@slc.gov) 2026-06-05 - 4:02:57 PM GMT Document emailed to alejandro.puy@slc.gov for signature 2026-06-05 - 4:12:10 PM GMT Email viewed by alejandro.puy@slc.gov 2026-06-05 - 4:24:30 PM GMT Email viewed by alejandro.puy@slc.gov 2026-06-09 - 7:57:23 PM GMT Email viewed by alejandro.puy@slc.gov 2026-06-10 - 8:02:42 PM GMT Signer alejandro.puy@slc.gov entered name at signing as Alejandro Puy 2026-06-10 - 8:03:09 PM GMT Document e-signed by Alejandro Puy (alejandro.puy@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2026-06-10 - 8:03:11 PM GMT - Time Source: server - Signature Appearance Selected: MOBILE_DRAW Document emailed to Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) for signature 2026-06-10 - 8:03:14 PM GMT Email viewed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) 2026-06-10 - 9:36:40 PM GMT Document e-signed by Keith Reynolds (Keith.Reynolds@slc.gov) Signature Date: 2026-06-10 - 9:37:01 PM GMT - Time Source: server - Signature Appearance Selected: IMAGE Agreement completed. 2026-06-10 - 9:37:01 PM GMT