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HomeMy WebLinkAboutProposed Ordinance - 4/14/2026SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE No. ______ of 2026 (An ordinance amending portions of Chapter 2.10 and Section 16.10.010 and enacting Section 16.10.230 of the Salt Lake City Code pertaining to lost and mislaid property at airports.) WHEREAS, the lost and found desk at the Salt Lake City International Airport is the state’s busiest lost and found property operation; and WHEREAS, until the 2026 general session of the Utah Legislature, Utah statutes only specifically addressed lost and mislaid property being handled by law enforcement agencies, overlooking common practices of many entities throughout the state; and WHEREAS, until the 2026 general session of the Utah Legislature, state law required any lost or mislaid property that comes into the possession of a law enforcement officer to be managed only by the law enforcement agency with applicable jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, as a result of the Utah Legislature adopting SB172 (2026), certain commercial airports, including the Salt Lake City International Airport, are expressly authorized to manage a lost and found operation, and law enforcement officers on duty at the international airport may now turn lost and mislaid property over to the Department of Airports lost and found operation instead of to the Salt Lake City Police Department; and WHEREAS, SB172 (2026) requires that the legislative body of an applicable commercial airport establish policies for the disposition of lost and mislaid property consistent with Utah Code Section 72-10-216; and WHEREAS, SB232 (2026) requires municipalities to consider the impacts of proposed ordinances on family health, stability, and formation prior to adopting each ordinance; and WHEREAS, the Salt Lake City Council finds that adopting this ordinance will present no negative impacts on families whatsoever; and 2 WHEREAS, after a public hearing on this matter, the Salt Lake City Council has determined that adopting this ordinance is in the city’s best interests. NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah that: SECTION 1. Amending the text of Salt Lake City Code Section 2.10.100. That Section 2.10.100 of the Salt Lake City Code (Administration and Personnel: Police Department: Disposition of Lost, Mislaid and Unclaimed Property: Definitions) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as follows: 2.10.100: DEFINITIONS: LOST OR MISLAID PROPERTY: A. “Lost or mislaid property” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Utah Code Section 77-11d-101 or its successor provision. B. “Lost or mislaid property” does not include any property regulated and defined in Title 16 of this code as “lost or mislaid property”. PROPERTY HELD AS EVIDENCE: Any property received in evidence by a court submitted by a city agency. PUBLIC INTEREST USE: Use by a governmental agency as approved by the city council as provided in section 2.10.150 of this chapter; or use by a bona fide charity registered with the state of Utah as approved by the city council. UNCLAIMED PROPERTY: Tangible and intangible property that comes into possession of Salt Lake City employees through circumstances not involving criminal procedures in which the owner is either unknown or unavailable to take possession of property. SECTION 2. Amending the text of Salt Lake City Code Section 16.10.010. That Section 16.10.010 of the Salt Lake City Code (Airports: Definitions and General Regulations: Definitions) shall be, and hereby is amended to read as follows: 16.10.010: DEFINITIONS: The following words and phrases, whenever used in this title, shall be defined as provided in this title unless a different meaning is specifically or more particularly described. 3 ADVANCED AIRCRAFT MOBILITY SYSTEM: A system that transports individuals and property using piloted and unpiloted aircraft, including electric aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, in controlled or uncontrolled airspace, and includes each component of such system. AERONAUTICAL ACTIVITY: Any activity or service that makes possible, facilitates, is related to, assists in, or is required for the operation of aircraft or another aeronautical activity that contributes to or is required for the safety of such operations. The following activities, without limitation, that are commonly conducted on airports are considered aeronautical activities within this definition: aircraft charter, pilot training, aircraft rental, sightseeing aerial photography, aerial spraying and agricultural aviation services, aerial advertising, aerial surveying, air carrier operations (passenger and air cargo), aircraft sales and service, sale of aviation fuel and oil, aircraft maintenance, sale of aircraft parts, and any other activity which, in the sole judgement of the Department of Airports, because of its direct relationship to the operation of aircraft or the Airport System, can be appropriately regarded as an aeronautical activity. AIRCRAFT: A device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air. See 14 CFR § 1.1. AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS: An aircraft arrival at or departure from the Airport System, with or without FAA airport traffic control service. AIRCRAFT PARKING AREA: The area or areas of the Airport System set aside and designated for the parking of aircraft. AIRPORT SYSTEM: All property owned and operated by the City and controlled through its Department of Airports, including the Salt Lake City International Airport, and any regional or reliever airport owned by the City as applicable, as the property now exists or as may hereafter be expanded or improved, together with all the appurtenant facilities, and includes all areas shown in the FAA-approved airport layout plans. AIR OPERATIONS AREA (AOA): Any area of the Airport System used or intended to be used for the landing, takeoff, or surface maneuvering of aircraft, including all movement areas, runways, taxiways, and apron areas where aircraft are parked, services, refueled, loaded with cargo, or accessed by passengers, including the areas surrounding hangars, navigation equipment and communication facilities. BUSINESS: A voluntary association formed and organized to carry on a business in the legal name of the association, including, without limitation, a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or sole proprietorship. CITY: Means and has reference to Salt Lake City Corporation, a municipal corporation of the state of Utah. 4 CITY COUNCIL: The municipal legislative body of Salt Lake City as is more thoroughly described in Chapter 2.06 of this code. COMMERCIAL: That which promotes or makes possible earnings, income, revenue, compensation, profits, exchanges (including change of services), trading, buying, hiring, or selling of commodities, goods, services, or tangible or intangible property of any kind, whether such objectives are accomplished or not. DEPARTMENT: The Salt Lake City Department of Airports. DIRECTOR: The duly appointed and qualified department head of the "Department of Airports," selected and appointed by the Mayor with the recommendation of the Airport Advisory Board and with the advice and consent of the City Council, or designee. FAA: The Federal Aviation Administration. FAR: The federal aviation regulations. GROUND TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS: Any business operating any ground transportation vehicle. GROUND TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE: Any motor vehicle used for the transportation of persons using Salt Lake City streets for commercial purposes, regardless of whether a fee or fare is collected. INTEREST HOLDER: For purposes of Section 16.10.230 and the definitions in this section, “interest holder” has the same meaning as that term is defined in Utah Code Section 77-11a- 101 or its successor provision. INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: The Salt Lake City International Airport, as the property now exists or as may hereafter be expanded or improved, together with all the appurtenant facilities, and includes all areas shown in the FAA-approved airport layout plans. LANDING AREA: The runways, taxiways, intermediate turnoffs, any area of land utilized for an advanced air mobility system, and adjoining areas of the Airport System. LOST OR MISLAID PROPERTY: A. For purposes of Section 16.10.230, “lost or mislaid property” means personal property that comes into the possession of the Department at the International Airport by a Department employee or a law enforcement officer on duty at the International Airport: 1. that is not claimed by the identified owner of the property before the Department receives the property; or 2. for which no owner or interest holder claims the property after the Department has given reasonable opportunity for the owner or interest holder to claim the property. 5 B. Lost or mislaid property includes money. C. Lost or mislaid property does not include: 1. property that contains or is a firearm or other dangerous weapon; 2. property or contraband seized by law enforcement as part of a criminal investigation or proceeding; 3. hazardous waste materials; 4. property that is unsanitary or otherwise a threat to the health and safety of Department personnel or others; 5. an abandoned vehicle; or 6. property lost, left behind, or abandoned on a commercial aircraft. MAYOR: The duly elected or appointed and qualified chief executive and administrative officer of Salt Lake City, or his/her authorized representative. MINIMUM STANDARDS: The standards, directives, policies, and procedures for Commercial Aeronautical Activities applicable to the Airport System as adopted by authority of this title. MONEY: For purposes of Section 16.10.230, “money” has the same meaning as defined in Utah Code Section 72-10-216 or its successor provision and does not include any digital assets as that term is defined in Utah Code Section 7-29-101 or its successor provision. MOTOR VEHICLE: Any vehicle propelled by an internal combustion or electric motor. ON-AIRPORT RENTAL CAR OPERATOR: An Operator occupying a rental car concession on the premises of the Airport System. OPERATOR: Persons engaged in commercial or aeronautical activities within the Airport System. OWNER: For purposes of Section 16.10.230 and definitions specifically applicable to that section, “owner” has the same meaning as defined in Utah Code Section 72-10-216. PERSON: Means and includes a natural person, organization, corporation, partnership, company, entity, firm, association or corporation, including any representative thereof. RAMP: A paved area of the airport normally used for the parking and taxiing of aircraft. RULES AND REGULATIONS: The standards, directives, policies and procedures applicable to the Airport System as adopted by authority of this title. VEHICLE: A device in, upon or by which any Person or property is or may be propelled, moved, transported, hauled, or drawn upon any roadway within the Airport System. 6 SECTION 3. Adopting Salt Lake City Code Section 16.10.230. That Section 16.10.230 of the Salt Lake City Code (Airports: Definitions and General Regulations: Lost or Mislaid Property at Salt Lake City International Airport) shall be, and hereby is adopted and shall read as follows: 16.10.230: LOST OR MISLAID PROPERTY AT THE SALT LAKE CITY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT A. Authority: The Department may receive and dispose of lost or mislaid property in accordance with Utah Code Section 72-10-216. B. Receipt and Inventory: The Department may accept lost or mislaid property presented to it by any person and shall maintain an inventory of all lost or mislaid property received. The Department shall likewise keep records of lost or mislaid property returned to its owner pursuant to Subsection C and of all lost or mislaid property disposed of pursuant to Subsection D. C. Attempt to Locate Owner and Costs: 1. The Department shall make reasonable efforts to locate the owner of all lost or mislaid property it receives. Such efforts may include posting information about lost or mislaid property received on International Airport’s website. 2. The Department may charge the property’s owner a reasonable amount for the storage of lost or mislaid property and for any shipping costs incurred to return the property to its owner. The Department may require such storage and shipping costs to be paid by the owner prior to releasing or shipping the property. D. Disposition of Lost or Mislaid Property: If the Department’s reasonable efforts to locate and notify an owner of lost or mislaid property are unsuccessful or the owner has been located and notified but fails to claim the property in the time specified below, the Department may dispose of the lost or mislaid property in accordance with the provisions of this section. 1. If the owner of any lost or mislaid property cannot be determined or directly notified within thirty days of the Department’s receipt of the property, or if the owner of the property is determined and notified but fails to appear and claim the property after thirty days of the owner being notified of the Department’s receipt of the property, the Department shall: a. publish notice of the intent to dispose of the unclaimed property on Utah’s Public Legal Notice Website; and 7 b. post a similar notice on the International Airport’s website. 2. The notice described in Subsection D.1 shall: a. give a general description of the item or items; and b. the date of intended disposition. 3. The Department may not dispose of the lost or mislaid property until at least eight days after the date of publication and posting. 4. If no claim is made for the lost or mislaid property within nine days of publication and posting, the Department may: a. sell the property at public auction or cause the property to be sold through a third- party seller and apply the proceeds to the Department’s enterprise fund; b. donate property with minimal value in accordance with adopted city policies; c. destroy the property if it is unfit for sale or donation; or d. in the case of money, apply the amount to the Department’s enterprise fund. 5. Money. a. If the lost or mislaid property is money, a person claiming to be its owner may only recover the money if they can identify the general location where the money was likely lost or mislaid, the circumstances under which they believe the money was separated from their possession, and the amount of money lost or mislaid or can otherwise prove ownership. b. If lost or mislaid property to be disposed of contains any money, the money may be separated from other items, including a wallet, purse, money clip, backpack, luggage, package, or other enclosure for purposes of disposition. 6. No government employee may claim or receive lost or mislaid property found in the course and scope of their employment at the airport where they find the lost or mislaid property unless the employee is the owner who lost or mislaid the property. SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective on the date of its first publication. 8 Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this ______ day of ______________, 2026. ______________________________ CHAIRPERSON ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN: ______________________________ CITY RECORDER Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________. Mayor’s Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed. ______________________________ MAYOR ______________________________ CITY RECORDER (SEAL) Bill No. ________ of 2026. Published: ______________. 2026.3.31.Airport.LostAndFound.Clean APPROVED AS TO FORM Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office Date:___April 8, 2026________________ By: ___________________________________ Paul C. Nielson, Senior City Attorney