HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/12/2025 - Meeting Minutes MINUTES FOR THE
BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
Wednesday, February 12th, 2025
1. Roll Call
The following members of the Business Advisory Board were present:
Scott Lyttle, Chair Sheridan Mordue, Vice-Chair
Jeff Carleton Jocelyn Kearl
Pook Carson Isaac Atencio
Abudujaannah Soud Barri Allaire
Alfonso Brito Andy Robertson
Also Present:
Peter Makowski, Department of Economic Development; Will Wright, Department of Economic
Development; Kiara Polee, Department of Economic Development; Ibrahim Ramazani, Department
of Economic Development, Andie Feldman, Department of Economic Development; Austin Kimmel,
Salt Lake City Council; Victoria Petro, City Council Chair; Lorena Riffo Jenson, Director of
Economic Development; Alex Beim, AICP; Victoria Petro, Council Member
Absent:
Brittany Reese
1. Approval of the minutes
a. Review and Approval of December 11th, 2024, BAB Minutes.
Mr. Brito made a motion to approve the minutes of January 8th, 2024. Mr. Robertson seconded the
motion. Upon roll call, the motion passed unanimously.
2. Briefings by the Staff
a. Report from the Director.
Ms. Reichgelt, Director of Business Development, provided updates to the Business Advisory Board on
key economic development initiatives. She highlighted the Economic Development Loan Fund (EDLF),
noting that a loan was approved for Himalayan Kitchen, which will be in the Engine Block development.
The Engine Block, situated at 300 West and 1300 South, is a revitalization project transforming a former
auto mechanic facility into a hub for local businesses, with Shades of Pale serving as an anchor tenant.
Additionally, Ms. Reichgelt provided an update on the Construction Mitigation Grants, explaining that
the Sugar House area received an additional round of grants at the end of 2024. However, due to high
demand, grant funds were depleted, prompting a budget amendment request to City Council for continued
support. She also shared that Open Streets would return to Main Street (400 South to South Temple) with
final details being worked out.
Mr. Makowski, Assistant Director of Business Development, provided additional updates on Open
Streets, mentioning that they have contracted Honey Communications and Collaborative by Design,
experienced event and marketing teams. This year, Open Streets will take place on Fridays and Saturdays
for four weeks in June and September, rather than running all summer. The program will incorporate
recommendations from the Main Street Pedestrian Promenade Study, with enhanced stationary elements
and block-specific programming, alongside outdoor dining. Lastly, Mr. Makowski noted that two
additional EDLF loans were recently approved, including one for a new Cold Plunge Coffee concept,
which will combine a coffee shop with cold plunge stations.
3. Business Items
A. Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) Update
This Update was tabled for the next meeting.
B. Councilmember Victoria Petro
Councilmember Petro updated the Business Advisory Board (BAB) on HB 465, a bill that could impact
Salt Lake City’s financial autonomy. She explained that the bill would require the city to enter a
partnership with the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and could result in the loss of critical funding,
including road maintenance and homelessness mitigation funds, if compliance standards are not met. She
highlighted that this could affect programs such as facade improvement grants and EDLF loans. While
Mayor Erin Mendenhall and her team successfully worked to remove some of the bill’s most restrictive
measures, Councilmember Petro emphasized that financial and operational concerns remain.
She encouraged BAB members to stay engaged, noting that legislative decisions affecting Salt Lake City
are often made by representatives from outside the city. She also raised concerns about potential changes
to High Transit Residential Zones (HTRZ), which could shift control of local tax increment financing.
Councilmember Petro suggested that the business community’s voice could help influence legislative
decisions and recommended direct outreach to legislators. She proposed using a phone tree strategy to
coordinate communication efforts and requested the flexibility to provide updates as legislative
discussions progress.
C. Tech Link Study
The TechLink Study was presented to the Business Advisory Board by Mr. Beim, AICP, Manager of
Long Range and Strategic Planning at UTA. The study, funded by a RAISE grant, explored new transit
connections in Salt Lake City, building on previous studies and strategic plans. Its primary goal was to
select a locally preferred alternative to move into the NEPA environmental review process. Four route
options were evaluated, considering factors such as ridership, travel time, economic development
potential, accessibility, environmental impact, and costs. After extensive analysis and public engagement,
Option 3 was selected as the preferred alternative due to its lower costs, reduced travel time, and
minimized environmental impact. This option creates a new Orange Line from the Salt Lake Airport to
the University of Utah, bypassing Salt Lake Central Station to provide a more direct downtown
connection.
Public feedback played a key role in the decision-making process, with over 1,700 pieces of input
collected through meetings, online forums, and station pop-up events. Many respondents expressed
concern about longer travel times associated with detouring through Salt Lake Central, reinforcing the
decision to move forward with Option 3. The study has now been finalized and presented to the Salt Lake
City Council, with strong support for the project. Next steps include environmental review, final design,
and securing funding, with the goal of launching operations by 2032, ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics.
UTA and UDOT will work closely together to manage project development and funding. The final report
is available online, and stakeholders are encouraged to reach out with further questions.
4. City Council Announcements
Mr. Kimmel provided updates on the following items.
A. Redevelopment Agency (RDA) name change to the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment
Agency (CRA)
B. CRA Board Chair and Vice Chair Election. The Council appointed Darin Mano Chair and Dan
Dugan as the Vice Chair for 2025.
C. Himalayan Kitchen EDLF loan approved by the Council on February 4.
D. Gas Station Text Amendment Approval.
E. Commercial & Mixed-Use Zoning District Consolidation and scheduled public hearing.
Mr. Kimmel Public Policy Analyst from the City Council’s office provided updates to the Business
Advisory Board on several key initiatives. He announced that the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) has
been renamed the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA) while maintaining its same
functions. The CRA Board elected Councilmember Darin Mano as Chair and Dan Dugan as Vice Chair
for 2025. Additionally, the City Council approved an EDLF loan for Himalayan Kitchen on February 4,
with another loan request for Policy Kings scheduled for review next week. Mr. Kimmel also highlighted
the Gas Station Text Amendment approval, which requires new gas stations to be a certain distance from
open spaces or water bodies to address environmental concerns.
Mr. Kimmel further discussed the Commercial & Mixed-Use Zoning District Consolidation initiative,
aimed at streamlining zoning by reducing 26 commercial zones into 6 mixed-use zones to simplify the
city’s zoning framework. A public hearing on this proposal is scheduled for March 4. He also touched on
concerns regarding federal funding freezes, noting the city’s reliance on federal resources for key
projects. While the freeze has been rescinded, its legal and financial implications remain uncertain. He
encouraged board members to provide feedback or questions that he could relay to the City Council.
5. BAB Member Announcements
A. Make Your Own Luck networking event, Ms. Kearl
B. Thank you, Andy, Chair Lyttle
C. Thank you, Roberta, Vice Chair Mordue
During the BAB Member Announcements, Ms. Kearl introduced the "Make Your Own Luck" networking
event, designed to help young professionals build in-person connections outside of digital spaces. Hosted
by Third Sun, the event will take place on February 27th at Work Hive in Sugar House from 4:30 PM to
6:30 PM. As alcohol will be served, attendees must RSVP in advance. This marks the second installment
of the event, with hopes of making it a recurring opportunity for young professionals to expand their
networks.
Following this, former Chair Lyttle was recognized and thanked for his leadership over the past year.
Board members acknowledged the effort and dedication required to run the meetings, expressing
appreciation for his contributions. Vice Chair Mordue then gave a heartfelt farewell to Roberta Reichgelt,
commending her commitment to economic development, her support for local businesses, and her ability
to solve problems equitably. She reflected on her first meeting with Roberta years ago and praised her for
her impactful leadership. Board members expressed their gratitude and well wishes for Roberta’s next
chapter, with Sheridan personally delivering a farewell gift to her office.
Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
_________________________________
Scott Lyttle, Chair
This document and the recording constitute the official minutes of the Economic Development Business
Advisory Board meeting held on February 12th, 2025.
Scott Lyttle (Apr 28, 2025 11:41 MDT)
Scott Lyttle