PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
REGULAR/BRIEFING SESSION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1987
THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, MET AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1987, AT 5:00 P.M. IN SUITE 300 CITY HALL, 324 SOUTH STATE.
THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT: FLORENCE BITTNER THOMAS M. GODFREY SYDNEY R. FONNESBECK ROSELYN N. KIRK EARL F. HARDWICK WILLIE STOLER.
Councilmember Mabey was absent.
Council Chairperson Kirk presided at the meeting.
BRIEFING SESSION
The City Council interviewed Pat Shea prior to his appointment to the Airport Authority Board of Directors. Mr. Shea told the Council that because he was an attorney he felt he could help the Airport Authority Board of Directors with legal issues. He added that he enjoyed attending the meetings and looked forward to his association with the other board members. The City Council interviewed Tom Young prior to his appointment to the Airport Authority Board of Directors.
Mr. Young told the Council that he had been flying airplanes for 29 years, had served on the Airport General Aviation Committee and was interested in the airport and what went on at the airport. He added that his interest in airplanes and the air travel industry gave him the insight necessary to adequately serve the City on the Airport Authority Board of Directors. Buzz Hunt, city treasurer, introduced Susan Roberts to the City Council. Mr. Hunt told the Council that Ms. Roberts had been hired by the City Treasurer’s Office to be the Revenue Projection Specialist.
Mr. Hunt told the Council that Ms. Roberts would be bringing the Council revenue projections during the budget process. Linda Hamilton, Executive Director, briefed the Council on the evening’s agenda. She told the Council that a public hearing would be held to obtain public protests concerning the intention of the City Council to construct improvements on certain streets consisting of modifications to curb and gutter, sidewalks and drive approaches, storm drainage, utility relocations, traffic lanes, street trees, sod and topsoil and all other miscellaneous work necessary to create Salt Lake City Special Improvement District No. 38-826 (Federal Heights area).
Council Member Fonnesbeck told the Council that tabulation results had been received from the City Engineer’s Office and the Special Improvement District did not have the necessary support for creation. She told the Council that the Special Improvement District could not be created, however, she added that if a proponent of the SID asked the Council to consider extending the deadline to allow for modifications to the SID, the Council may want to give the requested extension. She said the extension should only be granted if the proponents wanted to return to the City Council with a modified plan. The current plan could not be reconsidered.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1987, AT 6:00 P.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, SUITE 300, CITY HALL, 324 SOUTH STATE.
THE FOLLOWING COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE PRESENT: FLORENCE BITTNER THOMAS M. GODFREY GRANT MABEY ROSELYN N. KIRK SYDNEY R. FONNESBECK WILLIE STOLER EARL F. HARDWICK.
Mayor Palmer DePaulis, Roger Cutler, city attorney, Kathryn Marshall, city recorder, and Lynda Domino, chief deputy city recorder, were present.
Council Chairperson Kirk presided at and conducted the meeting.
The Council led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to approve the minutes of the Salt Lake City Council for the regular meeting held Tuesday, December 1, 1987, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmembers Bittner, Mabey, and Hardwick who were absent for the vote.
(M 87-1)
Special Recognition
The City Council and Mayor presented a resolution commending Robert McQuarrie for his dedication and commitment to Salt Lake City and the East Central Community Council and wishing him and his family well in their new community. Councilmember Godfrey read the resolution and Councilmember Kirk presented it to Mr. McQuarrie.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to adopt Resolution 138 of 1987, which motion carried, all members voted aye. Mr. McQuarrie thanked the City Council and Mayor.
(R 87-1)
PETITIONS
Petition 400-277/Legislative Action by Councilmember Godfrey.
RE: The portion of Petition 400-277 by the Sugar House Community Council affecting the “B-3” zoning on 1100 East between 1300 South and 1700 South. Councilmember Godfrey’s legislative action requests that the Planning Commission re-examine the request to change portions of this zoning to residential, and return its recommendation to the City Council along with any recommendation it may have concerning the adequacy of the text of the “B-3” district.
ACTION: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to adopt a motion returning to the Planning Commission that portion of Petition 400-277 which affects the “B-3” zoning on 1100 East between 1300 South and 1700 South, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 87-348)
Petition 400-366 by the Capitol Hill Community Council.
RE: An ordinance rezoning certain parcels of property in the Capitol Hill Community Area and an ordinance rezoning the residential area between Main Street and State Street south of 200 North.
ACTION: Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to adopt Ordinance 88 of 1987 rezoning certain parcels of property in the Capitol Hill Community area, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to deny rezoning the southern portion of “Area F” which includes Gordon Place and adopt Ordinance 89 of 1987 rezoning certain property between Main and State Streets south of 200 North from Residential “R-5” to Residential “R-3A”, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Larry Livingston, Council Staff, explained that “Area F” was between 200 North and the boundary between the commercial properties off North Temple between State and Main Streets, which included Gordon Place. He said the petitioner wanted the property which was zoned Residential “R-5” to be rezoned to a combination of Residential “R-2”, “R-4” and “R-3A”. He said when this area was considered by the Planning Commission they recommended to change the entire “R-5” area to “R-3A” and the Council Staff recommended to change only a portion of the “R-5” area to “R-3A”, which was the northern portion approximately one half of the area in question. He said Gordon Place would remain zoned “R-5”.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck said there was one other section of this petition that the Council had not dealt with. She said the owners had requested the Council to delay action on this portion for a year while they master planned the property. Mrs. Fonnesbeck asked Mr. Livingston to get in touch with the owners to tell them time was running out. Mr. Livingston said he would draft a letter.
(P 86-312 and P 86-313)
Petition 400-576 by Kahier Corporation/Research Park Hotel.
RE: A change in the R-D zoning district, the business license ordinance, the major Street plan, the intoxicating liquor ordinances and any other steps necessary to allow a private liquor club and Class “C” tavern license in the Research Park Hotel.
ACTION: Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to set a date for a public hearing to be held Tuesday, January 5, 1988, at 6:20 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 87-347)
DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS
ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
#1. RE: An interlocal agreement and contract indemnifying the Directors and Officers of the Housing Development Corporation.
ACTION: Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to adopt Resolution 139 of 1987 authorizing the city to enter into an interlocal cooperation agreement and contract indemnifying the Directors and Officers of the Housing Development Corporation, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(C 87-625)
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
#1. RE: Designating the Nephi W. Clayton House at 140 East 2nd Avenue as a historical landmark, Case 710.
ACTION: Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to set a date for a public hearing to be held Tuesday, January 5, 1988, at 6:40 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(L 87-3)
MAYOR’S OFFICE
#1. RE: The appointments of Tom Young and Pat Shea to the Airport Authority Board of Directors.
ACTION: Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to approve the appointments, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(I 87-10)
PUBLIC HEARING
Special Improvement District 38-826, Federal Heights Drive.
RE: A public protest hearing at 6:00 p.m. concerning the intention of the City Council of Salt Lake City to construct improvements on certain streets consisting of modifications to curb and gutter, sidewalks and drive approaches; storm drainage; utility relocations; traffic lanes; street trees; sod and top soil and all other miscellaneous work necessary; to create Salt Lake City, Utah, Special Improvement District No. 38-826; to defray the cost and expenses of said improvement district by special assessments to be levied against the properties benefited by such improvements.
ACTION: Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to close the public hearing, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to deny creation of Special Improvement District 38-826, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Mark Morrison, city engineering, said his office had tabulated and verified the written protests which were received in the Recorder’s Office and he said the preliminary protest rate was 56.9% against the creation of the district. Councilmember Kirk said with a 57% protest rate the Council would violate city policy if they voted for the special improvement district. She said it had never been the Council’s intention to move forward if the people of the district did not want to go ahead with the special improvement district.
She said approving this district would also violate state statute. She said there was no need for a hearing to vote against the SID since the issue was dead at this point, however she opened the hearing for people to present other alternatives. Harry Maurer, 1301 Federal Heights Drive, outlined the reasons why the opponents protested the district: 1. The “self-appointed” committee did not represent all the people involved; 2. The “committee” had no right to commit all property owners to pay the total cost; 3. The opponents felt the city created the problem and should work out and pay for the solution since this area of the city paid excessively high taxes;
4. The opponents had a solution which would effectively distribute an equitable share of the traffic back on to First South, South Temple, Third Avenue, Virginia Street and Alta Street and could be accomplished at a fraction of the cost; 5. At the advice of engineers and developers living in the district, the proposed modification of the streets would not actually accomplish any of the objectives. He said the city probably wanted this project as an experiment which would only postpone the inevitable, final, and effective solution to the problem. He said he would like to expand and develop his comments in a better form and then send them to each Councilmember.
Councilmember Kirk reiterated that this was not the city’s project. John Tudor, 1309 Federal Heights Drive, asked Mr. Maurer to explain his proposed solution. Mr. Maurer said they wanted an island at the head of their street to assure that traffic would not continue left turns. They also wanted an extension of the curbing along Campus Drive from the upper part of Campus Drive to prevent right turns onto their street, with a sign indicating the right turns were prohibited. He said this would distribute traffic down Campus Drive onto other streets. He said they also proposed “ditches” at Fort Douglas Circle and at the curve lower down. He said they wanted another stop sign at Federal Heights Circle.
Brian Moss, 1460 Federal Heights Drive, said he was a proponent for the project and said they had open meetings and all the neighbors were invited. He said over four or five years they had tried their best to work with the city in order to remedy the problem. He said he thought the proposed plan would help slow the traffic since the road would be narrowed. He said the neighborhood needed to find relief and said some of Mr. Maurer’s proposals would be helpful. He said they were pleading with the city to help resolve the speed problem.
Parker Nielsen, property owner on Arlington Drive, said the objective was traffic control and he suggested that the city could station a police officer in the area 24 hours a day at a fraction of the cost of the SID. Dr. Richard Jaffe, 328 Federal Heights Circle, said the city needed to open Military and Penrose Way and continue the construction of 11th Avenue. He said the load needed to be shared by everyone and something needed to be done on Federal Heights Drive.
He suggested traffic islands at each end, channel lines similar to those on Third Avenue, and a stop sign at Federal Heights Circle and Federal Heights Drive. James Woolley, 1533 Federal Heights Drive, suggested having a one-way street for about 200 yards at the top of Federal Heights Drive in order to equalize the traffic flow. Councilmember Fonnesbeck said traffic in the entire Avenues area was the number one issue as far as whether or not the Avenues would survive as a neighborhood. She said decisions were made prior to the City Council that affected the Avenues area and the University continued to make decisions without talking to the city about traffic impact.
She commended the neighborhood committee for their efforts in presenting a solution to the problem and did not think a neighborhood should wait to take action until everyone in the area agreed. She said the Council had a petition with over 60 names which she thought was a fairly good representation for action and said the city responded to this petition. She said she believed that people should help themselves and said the proponents for this project were the first group who said they would do the work and ask the city for help.
She admired their efforts. She was concerned that people protested this district based on misinformation and said she did not believe the 11th Avenue extension would solve the problem since the traffic flow would increase. Plus making the area more accessible would attract people. She also said the cost to extend 11th Avenue was prohibitive and she hoped people did not vote against this project based on the 11th Avenue extension. She also said there were accusations that land owners would be held liable for people running into the curb and said the city would be liable since the curb would be extended into the public right of way. She said she was sorry that this project didn’t work and said the proposed improvements had been tried in other cities and had been successful. She also said other traffic control devices Salt Lake City tried were experimental, like the mirrors on 11th Avenue which decreased the accident rate by 98%. She said she was disappointed that they couldn’t try this project and said she hoped another group would work just as hard on other alternatives.
(Q 87-10)
COMMENTS
#1. Councilmember Kirk said the Council would miss Councilmembers Mabey and Hardwick. Councilmember Mabey said many of the city staff members had worked long hours to help solve problems in District 2 and throughout the city and he thanked everyone for their long hours and diligence. He thanked the Council staff and said he would miss the people he had worked with and would miss the Councilmembers. Councilmember Hardwick thanked the Council and said it had been a pleasure working with them. He said the friendships they had built in the last four years would be with him for the rest of his life. He said he would also miss the people in the city.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck said when the Council took office 8 years ago one of the things that was apparent was the west side of Salt Lake City had been neglected. She said it took tremendous effort on the part of both Councilmember Mabey and former Councilmember Whitehead the first two or three years to bring the city’s attention to the west side and make it part of the city. She didn’t think this would have happened without the Council form of government and she congratulated Councilmember Mabey for extremely good, hard and effective work for the neighborhood and the city.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.