Loading...
02/12/2019 - Work Session - Minutes MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2019 The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State Street. In Attendance: Council Members Erin Mendenhall, Chris Wharton, James Rogers, Charlie Luke, Andrew Johnston, and Amy Fowler. Absent: Councilmember Analia Valdemoros . Staff in Attendance: Jennifer Bruno, Council Executive Deputy Director; David Litvack, Mayor' s Deputy Chief of Staff; Patrick Leary, Mayor' s Chief of Staff; Lynn Pace, Mayor' s Senior Advisor; Margaret Plane, City Attorney; Melissa Jensen, Housing and Neighborhood Development Director; Benjamin Luedtke, Council Public Policy Analyst; Daniel Rip, Housing and Neighborhood Development Policy and Program Manager; Sylvia Richards, Council Public Policy Analyst; Lara Fritts, Economic Development Director; Felicia Baca, Arts Division Director; Kelsey Ellis, Arts Council Assistant Director; and Scott Crandall, Deputy City Recorder. Guests in Attendance : Eric Osth, Urban Design Associates Consultant . Councilmember Luke presided at and conducted the meeting. The meeting was called to order at 4 : 06 p.m. AGENDA ITEMS #1 . 4:06:21PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE CITY-OWNED FLEET BLOCK, LOCATED AT 850 SOUTH 300 WEST. Developed by Urban Design Associates and Cascadia Partners, the plan would be used as a framework for the City to facilitate the site's development. The Fleet Management Division was located on the Fleet Block until 2011 when the division moved to 1990 West 500 South. View Attachments Patrick Leary, Benjamin Luedtke, Melissa Jensen, Daniel Rip, and Eric Osth briefed the Council with attachments . After Mr. Luedtke and Mr. Leary introduced the proposal, Mr. Osth provided a PowerPoint Presentation. Comments included Urban Design Feasibility Study, site location diagram, gathering/utilizing existing site data, stakeholder/public presentations, innovation districts being a redevelopment tool, limited open space in surrounding area (create open space in project) , public transit 19 - 1 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2019 availability (opportunity to decrease on-site parking) , surrounding businesses/amenities, housing/office space demand, community involvement/support, incorporate art component, 9-Line implementation, social networking hub, opportunity for local businesses/jobs, utilizing a flexible/feasible phased approach, walkability/affordability, innovative thinking/planning, ground- level activities, create healthy/appropriate retail, density issues (opportunity for residential density) , revitalize existing buildings/structures, utilizing curb-less streets, live/work units, soil contamination, high water table, utilizing Requests- for-Expressions-of-Interest (RFEI) and Requests-for-Proposal (RFP) , create/adopt design standards, Scope-of-Work preparation, utilizing Redevelopment Agency (RDA) resources, address zoning changes, and achieving Parks Needs Assessment goals (strategies to attain green space) . Councilmember Rogers discussed open space versus green space and requested information about the reasoning/justification for open space and not green space. He said this was an important issue which needed to be addressed. Councilmember Luke spoke about the importance of green/open space and asked the Administration/Consultant to ensure that component was included in ongoing discussions/development . He said City-owned properties needed to be maximized and options explored to increase height/density without sacrificing open space. Councilmember Fowler spoke about potential development to increase restaurants/bars and the need to change existing liquor laws . She asked Council and/or Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Staff to prepare information showing where open/green space areas could potentially be located (avoid jeopardizing important businesses/liquor licenses) . Councilmember Johnston asked the Administration to analyze the Granary District/surrounding neighborhoods (6-9 block area) for green space opportunities . Councilmember Mendenhall spoke about parking issues for this Innovation District and the need for unique/progressive solutions . She asked participants to develop a very innovative parking proposal to address parking reduction/future transit investments (5-year timeline) . Councilmember Luke said the Council looked forward to future 19 - 2 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2019 updates . #2 . 5:01:52PM RECEIVE AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW ARTS DIVISION DIRECTOR, FELICIA BACA. In addition, the Council will receive an update about the Arts Council's Gap Analysis which evaluated arts programming, services gaps and needs. View Attachments Sylvia Richards, Lara Fritts, Felicia Baca, and Kelsey Ellis briefed the Council with attachments . Ms . Baca provided a Gap Analysis summary. Comments included performing needs assessment, cultural asset map, master plan assessment, program distribution, defining Arts Council as hybrid model, stakeholder engagement, gaps in serving diverse communities, need for purposeful and relevant community programming, re-evaluating grant process, and broader geographic outreach. Council Members expressed appreciation for the report which addressed ongoing Council concerns . Councilmember Wharton said the report talked about missing art pieces in Salt Lake . He said there were no iconic art pieces and felt the City needed public art that was easily recognizable, appealed to a broad demographic, contained humor, and allowed public interaction. He asked Ms . Baca to look for those types of opportunities . Discussion was held on the Twilight Concert Series . Ms . Baca reviewed historical information and said a Request-for-Proposal was issued and submissions were being reviewed. She said a vendor would be chosen by the end of February, 2019 . She said ongoing discussions would continue about the future of the program (mission, goals and sustainability) . Councilmember Mendenhall asked about next steps and whether any study recommendations had been implemented (budget implications) . Ms . Baca said recent activities included: one-on- one interviews with all board members, scheduling a meeting to evaluate options for continuing community stakeholder engagement (facilitated for different kinds of demographics) , working with consultants to re-evaluate board development activities (adding members, updating materials, etc. ) , reviewing current community programs/offerings, and contacting other "hybrid model" art organizations to obtain copies of their operating agreements . Ms . Fritts said she asked Ms . Baca to take information/input she was receiving and develop a one-year work plan and eventually a long-term strategic visioning plan. 19 - 3 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2019 Councilmember Johnston spoke about residents being unaware of City programs (like "Arts-for-All) which were designed to help residents . He said the City needed to do a better job and expressed interest in hearing ideas/thoughts about how the Council could be more supportive to really engage more citizens in new and existing programs . Ms . Richard asked if the Council wanted to receive an update when the asset map data was merged. Councilmember Luke asked Ms . Baca to provide Council with anything she felt would be helpful for upcoming budget discussions . #3 . RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE HOUSING TRUST FUND' S LOANS FOR 2018 AND THE RENOVATION PILOT PROGRAM. The Housing Trust Fund was created to address and provide funding assistance for affordable housing and special needs housing within the City. In 2017, the Council appropriated $1 million towards a new Renovation Pilot Program to provide funds to improve existing affordable housing units in the City. View Attachments Item pulled. #4 . 5:31:28 PM HOLD AN INTERNAL DISCUSSION TO PROVIDE INITIAL THOUGHTS AND GIVE POLICY GUIDANCE TO FRAME FUTURE HOUSING WORKING GROUP DISCUSSIONS. Council staff has provided policy questions to help facilitate this conversation. View Attachments Allison Rowland, Jennifer Bruno, and David Litvack briefed the Council with attachments . Ms . Rowland said the first two policy questions (Staff report) regarding creation of a standardized reporting process with consistent definitions/methodology and a refined loan application process, were already being addressed by the Administration. Discussion was held on the following issues/questions : Does the City characterize just some housing loans as "forgivable" at the end of the term, or all of them? How might the characterization of the City' s loan funds as "revolving funds" be clarified to include the potential of some of them being forgivable at the end of the term? This clarification would be helpful so that the developer, elected officials and taxpayers have clear, shared expectations . Ms . Rowland said Staff received good information during the prior RDA meeting for these questions . 19 - 4 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2019 Does the City have standardized criteria that is used to determine whether each loan will be forgivable? Councilmember Luke said based on prior RDA discussions, the Council was interested in having standardized criteria. Is forgiving loans an Administrative or Legislative function? Are developers assuming that the loans will be forgiven? Is the concept of the loan being forgivable key to making the projects `pencil' ? To the extent that the City and the developer anticipate loans to be forgiven at the end of the term, would it provide more clarity if the City referred to them as "grants"? Discussion included process always requiring legislative involvement, establishing specific criteria for applicants to follow (public transparency) , setting a maximum forgivable limit (review loans exceeding limit) , reduction of Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) balance, concern that having specific criteria would encourage developers to pursue forgivable loans, limited City resources restricting loan forgiveness, build process similar to Capital Improvement Program (CIP) , limit number of forgivable loans allowed during a one-year period, potential to limit loans for specific projects (permanent supportive housing, Area Median Income (AMI) threshold, etc. ) , potential impacts from having specific criteria (new innovative projects not fitting criteria) , established policies always having exceptions (Council review needed to justify/allow exceptions) , establishing basic framework by policy, and need for Working Group to delineate legislative role. Councilmember Fowler requested information regarding the number and types of loans the City had previously forgiven (x- number of years) . She said having some historical data would help the Working Group/Council create a loan forgiveness policy. The Council may wish to confirm whether or not receiving this information about past investments is a priority, or whether this is something the Council would like to embed in any future allocations that the RDA Board elects to transfer. Discussion included past loans versus other types of loans (prioritization) , future allocations, past practices (RDA transfers to the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) ) , prioritizing/allocating Funding-Our-Future sales tax revenue (opportunity to create policy - programming versus housing, etc . ) and historical data. The Council requested historical information on the $5 . 5 million RDA transfer to HTF. Ms . Rowland said Staff would make a consolidated list of issues that might be useful for the Council to request (information 19 - 5 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2019 currently scattered throughout the attachment) . Councilmember Rogers asked the Administration to provide beginning and ending dates for all affordable housing projects (show how projects progressed, how long they took, why some took longer than others, etc. ) . He said that would help the Council streamline the entire process and better understand what could be done differently to encourage affordable housing. The Council may wish to ask the Administration if any other dedicated funding streams have been identified. (three listed in attachment) . Councilmember Mendenhall suggested keeping the three revenue streams and adding/discussing others if/when they came up. Affordable housing dispersion/locating projects in the City. Discussion was held about not having enough information to establish concrete objectives/goals, having information about the ratio of affordable units versus market rate units, and the Council' s goal to disperse affordable housing throughout the City. Councilmember Johnston said he thought the Working Group should review these issues . Ms . Bruno said the Working Group could start with goals identified in the Grow SLC Plan and build from there. Vetting City property/funding resources through a community board (HTF/RAC) . Ms . Rowland asked if the Council wanted to pursue this and have it formally codified. A majority of the Council was in favor. Discussion was held on where the information should be codified. Councilmember Mendenhall suggested having the Working Group provide a recommendation. #5 . 5:59:50PM RECEIVE AN ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEFING REGARDING ISSUES AFFECTING THE CITY THAT MAY ARISE DURING THE UPCOMING 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. Lynn Pace and David Litvack provided an update on the following: • Millcreek City boundary adjustment - (Brickyard Plaza) . Sponsor indicated bill was abandoned. Councilmember Luke encouraged City lobbyists to continue monitoring the issue . • House Bill 164 - (form of government modification) . Sponsor indicated bill would be withdrawn/abandoned. • Medicaid Expansion - passed and signed by Governor. • Potential RDA housing bills . 19 - 6 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2019 • Airport - no published bills - potential for bill (s) relating to car-sharing, criminal penalties, business authorization overreach, and transferring Airport No. 2 to West Jordan City (Federal Aviation Administration and/or Congressional approval) . • Senate Bill 107 - nuisance ordinance for municipalities - ongoing conversation. • Senate Bill 132 - beer limits for grocery stores - not a City issue - not being closely tracked - potential for Statewide initiative. • Sales Tax distribution - significant City issue - proposal being closely monitored. • Affordable housing legislation (Senate Bill 34) - potential to impose more affirmative requirements on cities (Salt Lake already compliant) - potential loss of B and C Road funds for none compliance. Mr. Pace invited Council Members to contact him anytime with questions/concerns as the Session continued. #6. 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 announcements or discussion . #7 . REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR. Item not held. #8 . CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE §52-4-205 FOR ANY ALLOWED PURPOSE . Item not held. The Work Session meeting adjourned at 6 : 18 p .m. COUNCIL CHAIR CITY RECORDER 19 - 7 MINUTES OF THE SALT LAKE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 , 2019 This document is not intended to serve as a full transcript as other items may have been discussed; please refer to the audio or video for entire content pursuant to Utah Code §52-4-203 (2) (b) . This document along with the digital recording constitute the official minutes of the City Council Work Session meeting held February 12, 2019 . sc 19 - 8