02/03/2022 - Meeting Materials PARKS,NATURAL LANDS, URBAN FORESTRY AND TRAILS ADVISORY BOARD of SALT LAKE CITY
Formal Meeting
Thursday,February 3,2022
5:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
Join Via Webex(Encouraged):
https://saltlakecity.webex.com/saltlakecity/j.php?MTID=mbaf41768a37f6050bcb7618f358b6daf
Or Join at the Public Lands Administrative Building:1965 W.500 S.Salt Lake City,UT 84104
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AGENDA
1—Convening the Meeting 5:00PM
• Call to Order
• Chair Comments
2—Approval of Minutes 5:03PM
• Approve January6, 2022 Meeting Minutes
3—Public Comment Period 5:05PM
• Verbal comments are limited to no more than 3 minutes; 15 minutes total.
Written comments are welcome.
4—Staff Discussion and Agenda Items 5:20PM
• Road Map of Public Lands Projects in 2022—Kristin Riker 15 mins
• Discussion about Backlog of Public Lands Construction Projects—Tyler 15 mins
Murdock
• Miller Park Update—Kat Maus 10 mins
5—Board Discussion and Action Items 6:00PM
• Board Discussion on Public Lands FY2023 Budget Initiatives& 30 mins
Recommendation
6—Confirmation of Next Meeting,Board Comments&Future Agenda Items 6:30PM
• Board Subcommittee updates as needed
• Board Comment and Question Period
• Next Meeting: March 3, 2022
• Request for Future Agenda Item
• Upcoming Involvement Opportunities
7—Adjourn 6:40PM
PARKS,NATURAL LANDS, URBAN FORESTRY AND TRAILS ADVISORY BOARD of SALT LAKE CITY
Formal Meeting
Thursday,January 6,2022
5:00 p.m.—7:30 p.m.
Public Lands Administrative Building:1965 W.500 S.Salt Lake City,UT 84104
Upstairs Parks Training Room-MASKS REQUIRED
Or Join Via Webex:
https://sa ltla kecity.webex.comisaltlakecity/j.php?MTID=m3d1d233692 f3e8d5c811e81908b0f342
Join by phone
1-408-418-9388
Access code:2499 490 8192
Meeting Minutes (Unapproved)
1-Convening the Meeting 5:00PM
• Call to Order
• Samantha Finch
• Polly Hart
• Jenny Hewson
• Melanie Pehrson
• Phil Carroll
• Brianna Binnebose
• CJ Whittaker
• Ginger Cannon
• Clayton Scrivner
• Chair Comments
Samantha Finch wished the PNUT Board a Happy New Year and thanked
everyone for their flexibility in shifting to a remote meeting due to the rise in
COVI D-19 cases.
Ms. Finch also gave the board a friendly reminder to review the previous
meetings minutes and get amendments back sooner rather than later.
2—Approval of Minutes 5:03PM
• Approve December 2,2021 Meeting Minutes
Phil Carroll motioned to approve the recently amended December 2021
meeting minutes. Polly Hart seconded the motion. The motioned to approve
the December 2021 meeting minutes passed unanimously.
3—Public Comment Period 5:05PM
• Verbal comments are limited to no more than 3 minutes; 15 minutes total.
Written comments are welcome.
Jan Hemming
Jan Hemming,Chair of the YalecrestCommunityCouncil stated that she had sent a
letter to Public Lands and other government officials about problems and concerns the
community has in relation to Miller Nature Park.Yalecrest will be hosting a public
forum on January 13th to discuss the community's concerns and identify and secure the
best resources to preserve the park. The Yalecrest CommunityCouncil would like to
invite Public Lands staff and the PNUT board to attend. Ms. Hemming can be contacted
at hemmingjan@gmail.com for more information.
Prior to the meeting,Jan submitted the following email as a public comment:
Luke:
Please circulate this email and the attached letter sent to the city December
21,about deteriorating conditions in the Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park —
before tonight's meeting. Please confirm that the email was circulated.
Thank you.
Janet(Jan)Hemming
Chair
Yalecrest Neighborhood Council
Dear PNUT Board Members:
The Yalecrest Neighborhood Council has encountered deteriorating and
unhealthy conditions in Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park. We shared our
concerns with Public Lands and city officials in a letter sent December 21,
2021.
Below is a summary of what we uncovered in Miller Park. (The full letter sent
to the city on December 21, 2021 is attached).City representatives,including
Public Lands,will appear before the Yalecrest Neighborhood Council on
January 13 at 7 p.m.to respond to the letter. If you want to join us, here's the
ZOOM link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZl odeusgzopEtEpJotXkw8sgl Iful h
ODIJu
More can also be learned by going to our new website:
ya lecrestneighborhood.org
Serious issues uncovered in Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park:
• The removal of hundreds, perhaps even 1,500+or more trees from the
park
• The failure to replant new trees or vegetation over an 8-year period
• Low or no water flow in the summer affected by a water rights dispute
and adjudication
• Uncertainty a bout the health and vibrancy of the bird population
• A non-functioning or poorly maintained sprinkler and irrigation system
• Use of poisonous herbicides and chemicals not recommended for a
bird refuge
• A streambed that no longer functions as a natural waterway due to
poor reconstruction
December21 letter to Salt Lake City Public Lands and City officials:
Respectfully,
Janet(Jan)Hemming
Chair
Yalecrest Neighborhood Council
The full text of the letter that Jan referenced is included as an appendix to these
minutes.
Gwen Springmeyer
Gwen Springmeyer,the chair of the Greater Avenues Community Council, expressed
that Tyler Fonarow did a wonderful job presenting at the councils Januarys,2022
meeting. Ms.Springmeyer wants the Board and Public Lands to be aware of his
contributions.
Anne Cannon
Anne Cannon expressed that she is hoping to see progress in Miller Park, Wasatch
Hollow and Allen Park this year.
Dan Schelling
Dan Schelling, a member of Save our Foothills, stated that on December 10,2021, a
group of people from Save our Foothills met with Public Lands to share prospective
visions on the Foothills. When they asked Public Lands to articulate their vision,the
department was unable to articulate a plan and referred Save our Foothills to an Open
Space Plan prepared in 1992. The 1992 plan fails to address current issues such as
downhill mountain biking and E-bikes. The 2019 Foothills Trail Plan also includes
features that directly contradict the values and policy measures in the 1992 document.
Mr.Schelling encourages Public Lands to prepare an updated Open Space Plan and
develop a comprehensive land use management and recreation management plan as
soon as possible before moving forward with construction.
Eric Edelman
Eric Edelman thanked Public Lands for repairing the hillside at CityCreekCanyon. Mr.
Edelman also expressed concern that two years into the Foothills Trail Project,the
public has yet to see a plan for trail maintenance or a long-term plan for adding new
trails and maintaining existing trails. Mr. Edelman expressed that these plans must be
created before construction. Mr. Edelman also expressed that hydraulic issues in City
Creek and remediate trenches on the hillside at Morris Meadows have not yet been
addressed by Public Lands.Similarly to Mr.Schelling, Mr. Edelman expressed that the
trail's vision is out of date and needs to be addressed by Public Lands.
4—Staff Discussion and Agenda Items 5:20PM
• May We Have Peace land acknowledgement presentation-Taylor Knuth 10 mins
Taylor Knuth, the assistant director of the Salt Lake City Arts Council, presented to the
PNUT Board about Salt Lake City's Public Art Program and the use of
acknowledgements in public art spaces.
Salt Lake City's public art program continually seeks new ways of integrating artwork,
by both experienced and emerging artists,into everyday life in our urban
surroundings.
The program is committed to understanding and recognizing that Salt Lake City is
situated on the traditional territory of many nations, including Shoshone, Paiute,
Goshute and Ute peoples,and is also home to many diverse Indigenous peoples
from all over the world.
Public art can be an evocative entry point into this conversation—helping to restore
visibility to Salt Lake City's Indigenous communities,creating a greater sense of place
and belonging, and sparking dialogue about the legacy of colonialism,and a shared
path forward.
Salt Lake City's Public Art Program would like to institute a policy that will inform the
ways in which we incorporate land acknowledgements in the didactic plaques that
accompany our public art projects throughout the city.
The program would like to start with the sculpture May We Have Peace by Indigenous
artist Alan Houser located in the northeast corner of the City and County building
grounds.This is a highly visible sculpture that needs to have its plaque replaced.The
program has sought consent from the artist's estate in incorporating a land
acknowledgement for its future plaque.
The Salt Lake City Public Art Program is seeking feedback from the board on the May
We Have Peace land acknowledgement and other project.
The City and County conservation board is in support of the efforts and other
engagements will happen with transportation,engineering and others who have a
role.
Mr.Carroll asked what is a land acknowledgement? Mr. Knuth responded that it is an
opportunity to recognize that the land the City occupies was once the territory of
various Indigenous communities.A land acknowledgement is a valuable wayto spark
dialogue surrounding the legacy of colonialism and how we can honor Indigenous
communities.
Ginger Cannon asked if Salt Lake City has adopted a land acknowledgement?Mr.
Knuth responded that there currently is not.The Salt Lake City Arts Council hopes that
the addition of land acknowledgement plaques is a step in creating a larger city-wide
initiative.
Ms.Cannon also asked who is involved in writing a land acknowledgement? Mr. Knuth
responded that the Salt Lake City Arts Council researched what other public art
programs in the country are doing in partnership with Tribal communities.They also
met with Tribal leaders to gauge the temperature on whether land acknowledgements
are effective. In the Salt Lake City Arts Council's experience,the local Indigenous
communities that they spoke with all expressed support.
Ms.Cannon expressed to the board a word of caution regarding not having an overall
umbrella of a land acknowledgement from City Council.
Ms. Finch asked for more details regarding the plaque's language. Mr. Knuth stated
that the new language for the plaque had been approved by the estate of artist Alan
Houser.
Jenny Hewston asked if the list of Indigenous communities listed in Mr. Knuth's
presentation is inclusive of all Indigenous communities in the area?Mr. Knuth
responded that the list is.
Bri Binnebose asked that if the board has a good path forward,what will be the role of
Indigenous communities in the process? Mr. Knuth stated that Indigenous
communities have been involved with the preliminary concept. The Salt Lake City Arts
Council is starting land acknowledgements with May We Have Peace because the
plaque is missing and needs replacement.The Arts Council is hoping to start with this
piece and change the way plaques are approached by adding things such as land
acknowledgements.
Mr. Knuth also agrees with Ms.Cannons feedback of approaching land
acknowledgements as a top-down approach.
Ms. Hart noted that the May We Have Peace sculpture is located on Washington
Square. When thinking about context,would it be possible to rename the block?
CJ Whittaker asked how the new trails in the Foothills will be named? It will be
important to think about the discussion of land acknowledgement when Public Lands
decides.
Ms. Finch suggested that the board tables further discussion of land acknowledgement
for another meeting.
• Glendale Regional Park Update—Nancy Monteith 20 mins
Nancy Monteith,Senior Landscape Architect with engineering, provided the
PNUT board with an update on the Glendale Regional Park.
Currently, Public Lands is in the process of demolishing the old water parkthat
occupied the project site. Public Lands has elected to keep 580 linear feet of
water slide sections stored onsite for potential reuse.These slides may be used
for wheeled sports or repurposed into a public art piece.
Public Lands has hired a team of consultants to assist in the project. Design
Workshop will be utilized for planning,design and storytelling,Agora Partners
will be utilized for operations, maintenance,and programming, David Evans
and Associates will be utilized for community outreach and River Restoration
will be utilized for ecology and restoration.
So far, Public Lands has completed initial outreach conversations with City
Council, Glendale Community Council and the Salt Lake City School District.
Public Lands has also completed alternative development engagement.
Specifically, Public Lands engaged with students at Glendale Middle School and
Mountain View Elementary School through presenting an overview of the
project to students and engaging in a curriculum supplied to teachers that
allowed the students to construct multi-media deliverables that illustrated
their ideas for the park. During these youth engagements,students expressed
interest in active play features,water elements, natural ecological elements
and wildlife river health.
Other youth engagements conducted included workshops at the Salt Lake City
Library and exercises with the Utah Division of Cultural Affairs.
The next step of the plan will be alternatives evaluation.To complete this step,
the development of a community advisory committee will take place.This
committee's purpose will be to give clear and direct input on the development
of the project moving forward. PNUT Board member Melanie Pehrson will be
on this committee.
Mr.Whittaker asked if there is any discussion of an Ampitheater in the park?
Currently, Public Lands is considering all evaluations and is looking to hear
ideas from the PNUT Board regarding what should and should not be included.
Mr.Carroll asked if there are plans for the existing boat ramps on the site to be
utilized? Ms. Monteith responded that there are no plans for removal. Public
Lands wants to emphasize connectivity to the river in the project.
In the alternatives evaluation,community members will be reviewing three
very distinct ideas that will then be blended into a final concept based on
feedback.
The three ideas include
1. Great Outdoors—Capitalizes on the natural assets of the Jordan River
2. Active Park—Generates vibrant play
3. The Glendale Central—Connects neighbors and focuses on supporting
community events
Ms. Hart expressed concern with youth and other members of the public wanting to
see water utilized in the project. Ms. Hart asked if Public Lands could take lead in
educating the public that water elements are not sustainable in Salt Lake City's desert
climate and drought conditions.
Ms.Cannon asked what winter recreation activities could be available in the park to
promote year-round use?
Ms. Pehrson asked what is the process to ensure that a public event space in the park
is properly maintained and is utilized by the community? Ms. Riker responded that
maintenance would be provided through the Arts Council or by City Council after
project completion.
• CLOSED SESSION: Open Space Acquisition—Kat Maus 20 mins
Ms. Finch solicited a motion from the board to close the session for discussion of an
open space acquisition that contains financial information. Ms. Binnebose motioned to
close the session. Ms. Hewson seconded the motion. The PNUT board voted
unanimously to close the session.
• Public Lands Budget Initiatives FY2023—Kristin Riker 20 mins
Ms. Riker invited Public Lands Supervisors to share their FY2023 initiatives with the
PNUT Board.
Ms. Riker begin by sharing the first initiative, inflationary cost. Every year a list of costs
and cost increases for Public Lands is put together and forwarded to the Mayor.This
year, Public Lands is requesting raising its starting wage from$13.15 to$15.00. Public
Lands will also be asking for an increase to its supplies and materials budget to cover a
rise in materials costs.
Tony Gliot shared four budget initiatives from the Uban Forestry Division.
The first budget initiative is a storm response recovery initiative. In response to the
2020 windstorm and 2021 snow event, Urban Forestry backlog is very behind. This
budget initiative will allow for Urban Forestryto hire a contracted company to help
relieve the Divisions backlog of services.
The second budget initiative is a forest growth and preservation initiative.The first
component of this initiative is funding to support the Mayor's 1,000 trees initiative.
The second component seeks to hire a service coordinator position and secure funding
to create a crew arborist position that will internalize Urban Forestry's tree health
services.
The third budget initiative is a golf course tree maintenance initiative.Salt Lake City's
courses have about 6,000 trees that are currently not maintained by the city. This
initiative will allow for a dedicated golf course maintenance crew to maintain and
expand urban forest on Salt Lake City's golf courses.
The final budget initiative is an Urban Wood Reutilization Initiative. Urban Forestry
produces 2.8 million pounds of waste per year. In the divisions current system,this
waste is discarded in the land fill. The urban wood reutilization initiative would allow
Urban Forestryto construct the facilities and yard needed and hire the needed staff.
Lee Bollwinkel shared two budget initiatives from the Parks Division.
The first initiative is District 5 seasonal staffing. District 5 is the Parks district
responsible for maintaining properties such as the Jordan River Trail, McClelland Trail,
Model Port and various medians. When the Parks Division went through a
reassignment,there was not enough funds to supply District 5 with a seasonal crew.
The second initiative is for a Weed Abatement program. Public Lands has been asking
the Cityfor funding for this initiative for the past few years but has not been
successful.Currently, Public Lands only responds to weeds on a complaint basis.This
initiative seeks to secure funding for the staff and equipment needed to have a year-
round weed abatement crew.
Lewis Kogan shared two budget initiatives from the Trails and Natual Lands Division.
The first initiative is a new properties and amenities initiative. This budget initiative
seeks to secure funding for various Public Lands projects that will be coming online this
year.This will support staffing and resource costs as well as needed communication
and engagement resources.
The second initiative is a native plant restoration program and habitat restoration
program initiative.This initiative seeks to create dedicated ecology restoration
positions and a full-time natural resource technician position that would implement
and support projects across the entire Public Lands system.
• Road Map of Public Lands projects anticipated for 2022 - Kristin Riker 5 mins
Ms. Riker proposed this agenda item take place next month due to inadequate time.
5—Board Discussion and Action Items 6:35PM
• Adopt Bylaws Revision Regarding Electronic and Hybrid Meetings(Action Item) 5 mins
Ms. Finch motioned to adopt an addition regarding electronic and hybrid meetings to
the bylaws. Mr.Whittaker seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously
by the PNUT Board.
• Board Chair and Vice Chair Elections for 2022 (Action Item) 10 mins
Ms. Finch solicited a show of hands from the board to ratify the election result of Ms.
Hart as Board Chair.The motion passed making Ms. Hart Chair of the PNUT Board.
Ms. Finch solicited a show of hands from the board to ratify the election result of Ms.
Binnebose as Vice Chair.The motion passed making Ms. Binnebose the Vice Chair of
the PNUT Board.
• Approve Annual Meeting Schedule (Action Item) 5 mins
Clayton Scrivner motioned to approve the PNUT Board's 2022 meeting schedule. Mr.
Whittaker seconded the motion. The motion was passed unanimously by the PNUT
board.
• Board Discussion on Public Lands FY2023 Budget Initiatives& 20 mins
Recommendation
The PNUT Board discussed their process for deciding which budget initiatives they will
recommend. The board decided that they will follow a format similar to their CI P
ranking process to formulate a budget initiative recommendation.
6—Confirmation of Next Meeting,Board Comments&Future Agenda Items 7:15PM
• Board Subcommittee updates as needed
Trails Subcommittee Update
The trails subcommittee held their first meeting where they discussed their vision and
reviewed documents supplied at the PNUT Board retreat.The trails subcommittee
decided that their subcommittee's vision is rooted in environment, equitable access
and experience for all citizens and public trust.The trails subcommittee will be
meeting once a month.
Bylaw Subcommittee Update
The bylaw subcommittee met to discuss their next steps and assignments,go over the
current bylaws and discuss if the current bylaws have been approved by a previous
board. The subcommittee hopes to bring a revision to Kristin,the city attorney and the
board to review and change the bylaws in the future.
• Board Comment and Question Period
Ms. Hart thanked Ms. Finch for her contributions to the PNUT Board as Board Chair.
Ms. Binnebose asked if the 1992 Open Space Plan has been replaced by the Reimagine
Nature Master Plan or if the plans are separate. Mr. Kogan answered that the 1992
Open Space Plan and Reimagine Nature Master Plan are two separate documents.
Mr.Whittaker received three complaints from community members who have seen
Public Lands staff members placing flags where phase 3 of the Foothills Masterplan
would be constructed.They have also heard staff members stating that the Foothills
Masterplan is not really experiencing a pause. Mr. Kogan responded that the flags
currently placed in the Foothills are part of the studies currentlyta king place.The
communications from staff were a miscommunication. Construction in the Foothills is
currently paused so studies can take place to determine how to best move forward.
• Next Meeting: February 3, 2022
• Request for Future Agenda Item
Ms.Cannon requested a five-minute discussion around the current backlog of Public
Lands construction and planning projects.
• Upcoming Involvement Opportunities
7—Adjourn 7:25PM
Mr.Whittaker motioned to adjourn the PNUT Board Meeting. Ms. Binnebose seconded the motion. All
voted unanimously to end the meeting.
Appendix Item A: Letter sent to City by
Jan Hemming on December 21, 2021.
Significant Miller Bird Refuge Issues
Trees
• Hundreds of trees have been cut annually in MBR since 2014. Although described as
"non-native and/or invasive"these trees have severely reduced what was once a much
more abundant and thriving nature park. Between 2014-2018, attempts were made to
replace lost trees,with nearly total failure, according to the city.
• During 2020 and 2021, the city acknowledged 600 trees were cut, but also
acknowledged that none were replaced. The Great Salt Lake Audubon Society
referenced the projected loss of 275 trees during renovation of the park in 2014. If you
"do the math," MBR has lost about 900 trees during 2014, 2020 and 2021. The city has
not yet released figures about how many trees were removed between 2015-2019.
QUESTION: Please provide YNC with those statistics; trees removed between 2015-
2019.
• On two occasions in 2014, the city was asked to halt tree removal in MBR. Both requests
were denied.One was made by Yalecrest residents who signed petitions and presented
them to the City Council. The second request came from Heather Dove,president of the
Great Salt Lake Audubon Society, who expressed concern that tree removal during
nesting season would not only violate federal laws but destroy nests and kill unborn
birds. That her measured and professional opinion was basically ignored, raises serious
questions about who can best protect MBR.
• The city revealed that it hires seasonal park clean-up crews who work approximately
from April-September.Any tree-cutting work in MBR between April-July,would be a
violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. QUESTION: Please disclose if trees
have ever been removed in MBR between April-July of ANY year in the past.
• 2014 was one of the most drastic tree-cutting years in MBR because of a planned
"restoration." Included were many tall, healthy and mature black locust trees—
destroying screech owl habitat. Other, tall, mature trees were also taken out of the park
as part of the park's reconstruction.
• Removal of the park's canopy has encouraged the growth of cheatgrass which is more
than a nuisance, it's a serious problem for dogs, wildlife, and landscapes. Cheatgrass is a
prolific spreader, using its barb-like seeds to grow just about anywhere.Cheatgrass
seeds can get stuck in pet fur, skin, eyes,nose,ears, or mouth. It has been found in
dogs' lungs. The dense,dry, fine stalks of cheatgrass, which sets seeds and dries out by
June,are particularly flammable fuel for wildfires.
• City officials have maintained that most trees recently cut are only 1.5-inch caliper and
less than 5 feet tall, yet residents have recent visual evidence that truckloads of trees up
to 16 feet tall were removed.
• Black locust trees were originally planted in the park by the pioneers who came to the
Salt Lake Valley in the 1840s. They were banned in 2014 as part of an initiative to
renovate the park after an oil spill. This policy was determined by a company hired by
the city called Canyon Environmental, owned and operated by one individual,
Christopher Jensen.* He earned a master's degree in agronomy from BYU. (Agronomy is
the study of field crop production and soil management.)On his Linked In page, Jensen
describes his expertise as "permitting and compliance for energy, mining and utility
development projects."He also lists environmental site assessments and NEPA
analyses" in his career experience. QUESTIONS: Does he have the correct credentials to
determine if black locust trees should remain or be removed from Miller Park? What
have urban foresters,trained arborists or tree experts said about the black locust tree in
Utah, especially in locations like MBR where they have existed since the 1840s? In other
words, does the city stand by this decision in 2014?
Birds
• The health and size of the bird population is unknown to the city despite statements the
city made in November2021 that the bird population in MBR is "healthy" and "up."YNC
learned that no scientific data has ever been officially collected. The first official study
conducted by Tracy Aviary in the summer of 2021 won't be released to the public until
early, 2022.
• One evidence of bird health is the screech owl. Residents saythat screech owls were abundant
and could be heard throughout the park in years past. Now,they are either nonexistent or rare,
according to residents. In a December email,a conservation official with TracyAviary listed 53
bird varieties that had been "detected"in MBR, but no specific year or timeframe was given. A
Western Screech Owl was on the list. QUESTION:When and by whom were the 53 birds
observed?
• Residents saw city crews spraying an herbicide on cheatgrass in 2021 disturbing a nest
of 9 quail and causing them to scatter. QUESTION: How many times has the city sprayed
herbicides on vegetation in MBR, specifically, the years and months it was applied, and
the vegetation targeted, as well as the name(s)of the herbicide(s) used.
Sprinklers and Irrigation
• In 2012-2013,the head of Salt Lake City Parks Department decided that all irrigation systems in
MBR be turned off, because"we live in a desert."After some pressure,she later relented but
then determined in 2013 that the MBR irrigation system must be replaced because it was
"antiquated." The existing commercial system,which relied on Toro 640 heads, had been
operational without incident for less than 25 years.This same Toro equipment is used on golf
courses throughout the region,where it has performed exceptionally for more than 65 years.
• The original Toro 640 system in MBR was replaced with a residential system that needs frequent
maintenance. In some areas of the park,the sprinklers don't work or only provide spotty
coverage.Trees and vegetation are dying because of this poorly maintained system.
• The new irrigation system was not correctly installed and some parts are missing.
• Sprinkler heads and sprinkler boxes protrude vertically on the path, making it dangerous for
walkers, runners, bikers and others.
• Residents have personally witnessed the dismantling and removal of existing irrigation pipes,
without any replacement of new equipment. In one instance, residents observed some of the
original pipe was excavated, "new"equipment was laid in the trench,and, after city workers left
the park,the company installing the new equipment removed it, placed it in their trucks and
filled the hole with dirt.Told of the problem, the city did nothing. QUESTION: Why is the
irrigation and sprinkler system in MBR poorly maintained and/or non-functioning and why is
there little or no accountability by the city with vendors that it contracts with,even when
infractions are reported?
Water flow in the stream
• Last year was the hottest on record in Utah with almost no precipitation. Additionally,
there was no water flow from Red Butte Creek in the park for 30-80 days last summer,
according to residents living near the park. Water intended for the park is tied up in
water right disputes with Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The city is negotiating with Mt. Olivet for
a solution.
• An official in the adjudication office of The Utah Division of Water Right told YNC in
Decemberthat water rights along Red Butte Creek are being adjudicated in Third District
Court, which may effect the speed with which water rights in MBR are resolved.
• Some residents in Yalecrest have been told by responsible sources working with the VA
on the Superfund PCE mitigation, they are "certain" Red Butte Creek water has been
diverted by Mt. Olivet to Rowland Hall St. Mark's School.
• In the 1990's, the LDS Church's Garden Park Ward requested a short-term metered
connection to a city hydrant on Yale Ave. The city determined the then-existing LDS
water right had been utilized to fill an on-site pond for irrigation and must be
relinquished to the city, and that future irrigation be connected to the city's culinary
line. QUESTION: What is the status of this?
Pesticides and Chemicals
• During the summer of 2021, residents observed city crews using pesticides to spray
bushes on the Miller Park slope. During one spraying, a covey of quail — about nine —
who had been nesting, immediately ran from the bush being sprayed.The incident was
reported to the city but ignored.
• The city has used and may continue to use Picloram (commercial name:Tordon),a
chemical sold by Dow Chemical to poison trees cut in MBR. It is one of the ingredients in
Agent Orange, used in Vietnam.A USU forestry professor(Corey Ransom) and 40-year
veteran with the US Forest Service (Eldon Guymon) both discouraged the use of this
powerful chemical on trees — especially in a bird refuge.The product is only
recommended for use in forest sites, fence lines roadsides and rights of way — none of
which apply to Miller Park. It also comes with this warning: "never apply within the root
zone of desired trees as they will also be affected through root uptake and soil."
Because of the way Tordon has been used in MBR, there is near certainty that
neighboring trees,soil and vegetation have been contaminated or damaged.
QUESTION: Please disclose all chemicals used in MBR for the past 12 years,including
Tordon, the last time it was/they were used and if it will be/they will be used in the
future.
The Stream Bed
• After the Chevron oil spill, the stream bed underwent major revisions, which changed
the natural flow of the water. Residents remember when their children would ice skate
from one end of the stream to the other in the winter,which is no longer possible
because of all the "dams"and blockages placed in the bed.
• The actual flow-line is now obscured and well below the highly permeable cobble surface that
precludes access by birds. During low flow events, Red Butte Creek disappears within 200' of
900 South.
• The chemistry and native habitat were altered by the installation of cobble and boulders from
areas outside the Red Butte Creek watershed, namely Willard.
• Ironically, "dams"placed along the stream bed of the creek have dropped significantly and will
continue to find a lower profile. Yet, impacts of the arbitrarily raised bed have already included
dead trees due to submersion and the need to introduce additional retention to reinstate the
lower path according to the CI P contract.
• Eldon Guymon, who worked with the U.S. Forest Service in Utah for 40 years,told residents in
2014 the mass removal of trees from MBR and the radical re-design of the steam bed would:
o Pollute the stream bed
o Undercut the slopes (caused by the boulders)
o Destroythe canopy (because of the large number of mature trees removed)
• The arbitrarily widened channel violated the riparian overlay ordinance and has caused
significant stream bank erosion.This was done, even though Chuck Call,the city's chief
hydrologist,determined that the then 5'wide channel could easily accommodate all conceivable
flood events,after consulting with FEMA.
From The Salt Lake City Historic Landscapes Report about Miller Park, 2016, written by JoEllen
Grandy, Landmark Design.
15 The following species were recommended for removal based on a Botanical Evaluation Assessment conducted by
Canyon Environmental:Siberian Elm(Ulmus pumila),Tree-of-Heaven(Ailanthus altisima).and Black Locust
(Robinia pseudoacacia)(Biohabitats).
•
Pub1ic Lands
Parks I Trails&Natural Lands I Urban Forestry I Golf
Staff Responses to Public Comments from the January 6,2022 PNUT Board Meeting
Jan Hemming
Jan Hemming,Chair of the Yalecrest Community Council stated that she had sent a letter to Public Lands
and other government officials about problems and concerns the community has in relation to Miller
Nature Park.Yalecrest will be hosting a public forum on January 13th to discuss the community's
concerns and identify and secure the best resources to preserve the park.The Yalecrest Community
Council would like to invite Public Lands staff and the PNUT board to attend. Ms. Hemming can be
contacted at hemmingjan@gmail.com for more information.
Staff Response:
Public Lands staff attended the Yalecrest CommunityCouncil meeting on January 13th to address
concerns in the park presented by YNC.Staff presented information regarding the City's management
objectives at Miller Bird Refuge(MBR),as well as addressed specific topics of concern including tree
removal, birds in the park, irrigation,water flow in the stream, pesticide and herbicide use,and stream
bed structure.City staff was joined by a representative from Tracy Aviary to address bird health,and
shared information about management of the space.A recording of the meeting can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orfgy5d11Qo.
Public lands will tentatively be presenting at the February 10th YNC meeting to discuss the funded CI P
project moving forward in Miller Park.
Gwen Springmeyer
Gwen Spring meyer,the chair of the Greater Avenues Community Council, expressed that Tyler Fona row
did a wonderful job presenting at the councils January5, 2022 meeting. Ms.Springmeyer wants the
Board and Public Lands to be aware of his contributions.
Staff Response:
N/A
Anne Cannon
Anne Cannon expressed that she is hoping to see progress in Miller Park,Wasatch Hollow and Allen Park
this year.
Staff Response:
This will be addressed in a presentation at the 2/3/2022 meeting.
Dan Schelling
Dan Schelling, a member of Save our Foothills, stated that on December 10,2021, a group of people
from Save our Foothills met with Public Lands to share prospective visions on the Foothills. When they
asked Public Lands to articulate their vision, the department was unable to articulate a plan and referred
Save our Foothills to an Open Space Plan prepared in 1992.The 1992 plan fails to address current issues
such as downhill mountain biking and E-bikes. The 2019 Foothills Trail Plan also includes features that
directly contradict the values and policy measures in the 1992 document. Mr.Schelling encourages
Public Lands to prepare an updated Open Space Plan and develop a comprehensive land use
management and recreation management plan as soon as possible before moving forward with
construction.
Staff Response:
Salt Lake City's Reimagine Nature Comprehensive Master Plan makes many recommendations,created
out of extensive feedback,and recommends several planning documents.A new Open Space plan is not
one of those recommendations.There are recommendations in terms of a climate resiliency plan and
the natural environment and environmental restoration. The plan has many recommendations to
develop policy guidance for protection of the City's natural lands and development of the parks
system. Capacity and funding is limited and these policies and plans will happen over several
years. Currentlythere is a large backlog of construction and planning projects.
Eric Edelman
Eric Edelman thanked Public Lands for repairing the hillside at CityCreekCanyon. Mr. Edelman also
expressed concern that two years into the Foothills Trail Project,the public has yet to see a plan for trail
maintenance or a long-term plan for adding new trails and maintaining existing trails. Mr. Edelman
expressed that these plans must be created before construction. Mr. Edelman also expressed that
hydraulic issues in City Creek and remediate trenches on the hillside at Morris Meadows have not yet
been addressed by Public Lands.Similarly to Mr.Schelling, Mr. Edelman expressed that thetrail'svision
is out of date and needs to be addressed by Public Lands.
Staff Response:
The Public Lands Department is continuing to formulate its management plan for trail maintenance as
well as conservation of surrounding natural environments.As no trail construction is currently slated for
2022,this is the priority of the Recreational Trails Team this year.As noted in the Foothills Trail System
Plan, the existing trails will be assessed on an individual basis on whether they will be integrated and
maintained, passively left alone, actively closed for rehabilitation,or some combination of these options
when applicable. These decisions will be made by the Public Lands Department with input from the Trail
System Design consultant currently out for RFP,the PNUT Board Trails subcommittee,and continued
public engagement.As for the plan's vision, the Trail System's Vision and Goals are listed on p. 9-10 of
the Trails Plan.The hydraulic issues in City Creek are managed by SLC Public Utilities Department and
Engineering.The plan for the trenches on the closed segment of the BST above Terrace Hills is still under
consideration and research.We will have a more formulated plan this spring or summer, possibly with
input from the trail system design consultant.
MONTHLY FEBRUARY 3
2022
REPORT
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WWW.SLCPUBLICLANDS.COM Department of Public Lands
CONTENTS
A
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p
02
PUBLIC LANDS DEPARTMENT
03
PLANNING AND ECOLOGICAL SERVICES
i
07
PARKS DIVISION
WWW.SLCPUBLICLANDS.COM 01
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'PUBLIC LANDS
DEPARTMENT
Operational Updates
Projects and Planning Team
Trails&Natural Lands Division Trails Project His knowledge of Salt Lake City's recreational
Specialist Tyler Fonarow has been selected to trails and trail management practices,his
be Public Lands'new Recreational Trails passion for the work,his ability to work both
Manager.This is a new,full-time position with with broad vision and attention to detail and
Public Lands that was approved this summer, his skill in public communication will all make
with broad responsibility for projects and Tyler a tremendous asset to the City and Public
initiatives that advance the quality and Lands in his new capacity.
accessibility of the City's recreational trails.
Health Equity Training
While this certainly includes the Foothills Trail
System,the Recreational Trails Manager will In the beginning of January,Public Lands
also be focused on improving the recreational Director Kristin Riker,Trails and Natural Lands
experience along the Jordan River Parkway Division Director Lewis Kogan,Public Lands
Trail and the Jordan River itself.As Deputy Director Carmen Bailey,Community
Recreational Trails Manager,Tyler Fonarow Partnership Coordinator Katie Riser,PNUT
will be joining Tyler Murdock,Katherine Maus, Board member Melanie Pehrson and
and another to-be-filled Planner position on NeighborWorks staffer Rob Roake jointly
the Projects&Planning Team. attended a 3-day national training put on by
Epic Health Solutions and the NRPA,
With his education in Recreation regarding Health Equity through Parks&
Public Spaces,with a focus on racial equity.
Administration,a background in academic
and experiential education and three years
under his belt as Trails Project Specialist for The training concluded with specific follow up
actions and a 6-month and 12-month check-in
Public Lands,Tyler brings a wealth of
experience successfully navigating complex, with the NRPA Epic Health team.Public Lands
extensive and highly-visible projects. was one of a small number of agencies
nationwide admitted to this workshop,
following an application process.
WWW.SLCPUBLICLANDS.COM 02
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PLANNING &
ECOLOGICAL SERVICES
PLANNING TEAM
Allen Park Update
When will Allen Park Community
Engagement be starting?
Public Lands anticipates being able to start Public Lands has also hired a consultant to
community engagement by June of 2022.In begin construction document design on a
the meantime,we are finalizing the Cultural waterline,water meters and sewer line through
Landscape Report and meeting internally to the park to allow for infrastructure to care for
make a comprehensive plan for community the trees and landscaping,and to prepare us
engagement. for further activation of the park in the future.
This project will kick-off in February.
Current Projects
Finally,Public Lands has been working with
other divisions and departments in the City to
Public Lands is currently addressing a number address the urgent roofing needs for some of
of smaller projects in Allen Park to ensure the structures in the park.With collaboration
safety in the site and the structures. with our partners in the Engineering Division,a
process is underway to get an engineer and
External power installation to four of the contractor beginning work as soon as possible.
structures has been completed.
WWW.SLCPUBLICLANDS.COM 03
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Glendale Regional Park Update Pioneer Park Update
Public Lands kicked off the Community Advisory The project team will be presenting the
Committee last month and held our first Cultural Landscape Report to the Historic
meeting.The role of this committee will be to Landmarks Commission in February and will
promote collaboration between residents, return with the concept plan in March.
stakeholders,Public Lands and Engineering to Currently,the team has launched our final
guide the future conceptual design of engagement window in order to share the
Glendale Regional Park. concept plan and gain feedback on the
design.This public engagement period will
The project team will be opening a window of conclude in February.the survey is currently
public engagement in the next two months in open and more information about the project,
order to get feedback on three concepts the conceptual design and a project video can
presented.The project team is working with be found at www.slc.gov parks pioneer-park-
Glendale Community Council to plan a improvements/.
community event to encourage participation in
this survey and gather community input.
Bridge to Backman �.. 2__ __ i
—11/11
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Construction is on-going at the Bridge to - i — l
Backman site with some exciting news!The _ �� _ - - _.
much-anticipated bridge installation occurred
the morning of January 2nd. 11
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Construction after the bridge replacement is 0—Om fp--
planning to extend through Spring 2022.The _____,_.,....., s .,.,w
Jordan River Parkway will remain closed and re-
Pioneer Park Improvements Concept Plan
routed with signage during this time.
WWW.SLCPUBLICLANDS.COM 04
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Miller Bird Refuge Wasatch Hollow Access
Improvements
Public Lands staff presented to the Yalecrest
Neighborhood Council on January 13th Construction Design for Wasatch Hollow
regarding management concerns in the park. Access Improvements began in December
A second meeting was scheduled for January 2021.Public Lands is working with Bio-West
27th to discuss the 2018 CIP timeline,process, Inc to have 70%construction documents
status and scope.However,Yalecrest and corresponding cost estimates ready for
Neighborhood Council requested a change in review at the end of February 2022.
date for this agenda item,so Public Lands Planning staff is working with the Wasatch
staff will be presenting on the CIP project on Hollow Community Council to present these
February 10th. designs at the March Community Council
Meeting.
Public Lands will request feedback from YNC
in writing,which will be presented to the PNUT 9Line Urban Orchard
Board prior to the March meeting.Public
Lands is prepared to make this presentation to Concept design began for the 9Line Urban
the PNUT Board at the March meeting.For Orchard Project located at 1100 West along
more information on the CIP project,please the 9Line Trail.This project was a
visit the new project page at constituent CIP application from Tree Utah.
www.slc.gov/parks/miller-bird-refuge-and-
Initial concept designs will be completed in
nature-park-capital-improvement-program-
January 2022.Engagement on these
projects concepts will be completed in Spring 2022
with the Glendale and Poplar Grove
Fisher Mansion Carriage House communities.
Construction continues on the Carriage House
Improvements.Work is anticipated to be
completed in summer 2022.
WWW.SLCPUBLICLANDS.COM 05
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Folsom Trail Foothill Trailhead Improvements
Folsom Trail construction is nearing Salt Lake City Public Lands received$1.3
completion.This project is being led by SLC million in Capital Improvement funding and
Transportation and UTA.Lighting will be was recently awarded a$1.3 million Outdoor
added in Spring 2022.Phase I construction Recreation grant for improvements to
includes only trail construction and lighting. trailheads in Salt Lake City Foothills.
Landscaping improvements was submitted
as a separate CIP application. Conceptual design and landowner
negotiations have commenced in January
2022.Public Engagement for this project is
Rose Park Open Space Trails
anticipated in the summer of 2022.This
project was also recently selected by the
Construction of the Rose Park Open Space Arts Council Advisory Board for the
Trails are complete.Public Lands is working upcoming fiscal year.
internally on wayfinding and safety signage
and are engaged with the Disc Golf Group
and the Tunnel Runners to help educate disc
golf users and trail users who now share this
space.
WWW.SLCPUBLICLANDS.COM 06
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PARKS DIVISION
Liberty Park Artesian Fountain
Now Reopened
In August 2021,the artesian drinking fountain `.
at Liberty Park was closed to the public after ;v +�44. \
the water tested positive for Total Coliform. At �•'w^ _
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The Parks Division worked with Public Utilities -
to address this issue and remove the - .
contamination. ,_;
In order to address the concern,staff needed Fountain Maintenance, Summer 2021
to remove the top of the fountain and internal
gravel. Madsen Park
In the middle of January 2022,Parks staff was Parks staff have removed the bumps in the
able to reopen the fountain after all repairs grass and will either sod or seed the area
were made and the fountain tested negative when the weather is slightly warmer. Staff is
for Total Coliform.Staff will work with Public repairing the raised sidewalk concrete and will
Utilities to continue testing the fountain. also replace the backflow concrete and install
a new cage around it.
Staff will work with Public Utilities to continue
testing the fountain. A new playground dome is on backorder and
should arrive next month. The Parks Division
will reopen the park in February.
WWW.SLCPUBLICLANDS.COM 07