PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
REGULAR/BRIEFING SESSION
TUESDAY, JUNE 9 1987
THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, MET AS A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ON TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 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 GRANT MABEY ROSELYN N. KIRK SYDNEY R. FONNESBECK WILLIE STOLER EARL F. HARDWICK.
Council Chairperson Kirk presided at the meeting.
BRIEFING SESSION
1. Linda Hamilton, Executive Director, briefed the Council on the evening’s agenda. She outlined for the Council the motions necessary for proper adoption of the Fiscal Year 1987-88 budget.
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, MET IN REGULAR SESSION ON TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 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 Hardwick seconded to approve the minutes of the Salt Lake City Council for the regular meetings held Tuesday, June 2, 1987, and Thursday, June 4, 1987, which motion carried, all members voted aye. (M 87-1)
PETITIONS
Petition 400-134 by Little America Hotel.
RE: An ordinance extending the expiration date of Bill No. 42 of 1986 relating to the closure of Carson Street commencing at 400 South and 146 feet west of Main Street.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to adopt Ordinance 36 of 1987 extending the expiration date of Bill No. 42 of 1986 to November 30, 1987, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 84-11)
Petition 400-274 Calder Brothers Annexation.
RE: The annexation of property located at 3130 South Highland Drive.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to adopt Ordinance 35 of 1987 recognizing the adoption of Amendment 5(A) to the Master Annexation Policy Declaration; extending the limits of Salt Lake City to include the “Calder Annexation”, zoning the same “C-l”, by amending the use district map as adopted by Section 51-12-2 of the Revised Ordinances of Salt Lake City, Utah, 1965, as amended; amending Salt Lake City council district and school precinct boundary maps; and specifying conditions precedent to said annexation, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 85-71)
Petition 400-493 by Bani Investment.
RE: The request that Salt Lake City close certain streets located in Blocks 14 and 15 (Lemon Place and Brazier Court) and a private easement known as Trinidad Court.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to set a public hearing for Tuesday, July 7, 1987, at 6:30 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 87-129)
Petition 400-505 by the Salt Lake City Council/Florence Bittner, Sponsor.
RE: The request that property located in the area bounded by North Temple on the south, Redwood Road on the east, 1-215 on the west and the City limits on the north be rezoned from the present “R-2A” to a Residential “R-l” classification.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to set a public hearing for Tuesday, July 14, 1987, at 6:30 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 87-33)
Petition 400-509 by Afton J. and John A. Walkenhorst.
RE: The request that Salt Lake City vacate the alleys and streets in Blocks 20 and 21 of the Buena Vista Subdivision.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to set a hearing for Tuesday, August 4, 1987, at 6:20 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 87-130)
Petition 400-516 by Gene Rose, Loftus Inc.
RE: The request that property located at the northeast corner of 900 South and 200 East street be rezoned from a Business “8-3” to a Commercial “C-3” to allow Loftus to expand their business which is presently at 865 South 200 East.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to set a public hearing for Tuesday, July 14, 1987, at 6:20 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 87-131)
Petition 400-523 by Jay Brasher.
RE: The request that property located at the southwest corner of 700 South and 5600 West be rezoned from an Agricultural “A-l” district to an Industrial “M-1A” classification.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to set a public hearing for Tuesday, July 14, 1987, at 6:50 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 87-132)
DEPARTMENTAL BUSINESS
AIRPORT AUTHORITY
#1. RE: Airport Revenue Bonds, Delta Air Lines Inc. project.
ACTION: Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to adopt Resolution 64 of 1987 authorizing the issuance of up to $30,000,000 of private activity bonds to finance airport facilities for use by Delta Air Lines, Inc., authorizing the execution of certain documents, and related matters, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(Q 87-5)
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
#1. RE: Interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County for improvements to the Salt Lake/Jordan Canal, phase two.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to adopt Resolution 67 of 1987 authorizing the execution of an interlocal cooperation agreement between Salt Lake City Corporation and Salt Lake County for a matching improvement to Salt Lake City Corporation to provide improvements to the Salt Lake/Jordan Canal, phase two, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(C 87-289)
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
#1. RE: An interlocal agreement with Salt Lake City/County Health Department for environmental testing of the Amoco Oil Site, Rose Park Waste Disposal Area.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to adopt Resolution 68 of 1987 authorizing the execution of an interlocal cooperation agreement with Salt Lake City/County Health Department for environmental testing of the Amoco Oil Site, Rose Park Waste Disposal Area, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(C 87-292)
#2. RE: Fiscal Year 1986-87 Budget opening.
ACTION: Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to adopt Resolution 71 of 1987 amending the budget of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1986, and ending June 30, 1987, including the following additional amendments: (1) Reduce revenue shortfall by $100,000 to $1,875,353 with money received from Public Utilities to make up the $100,000; and (2) In the CIP move the $50,000 in contingency plus the $50,000 for the eastside patrol station and set up a new project for Lindsey Gardens for $100,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(B 86-1l)
#3. RE: Business License Fees and Central Business Improvement District Tax.
ACTION: Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to adopt Ordinance 34 of 1987 amending Title 9, Chapters 2 and 4; amending Title 18, Chapters 3, 13, 17, and 21; amending Title 19, Chapters 2 and 4; amending Title 20, Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16A, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, and 39; amending Title 23, Chapter 4; amending Title 40, Chapter 2; amending Title 44, Chapter 2; amending Title 45, Chapter 2; and amending Title 50, Chapters 7 and 8 of the Revised Ordinances of Salt Lake City, Utah, 1965, relating to business license revenue and regulation fees and Central Business Improvement District tax, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(O 87-14)
#4. RE: An ordinance relating to compensation of city officers and employees, including statutory officers.
ACTION: Councilmember Hardwick moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to adopt Ordinance 38 of 1987 amending Section 25-1-1 of the Revised Ordinances of Salt Lake City, Utah, 1965, as last amended by Bill No. 62 of 1986 relating to compensation of Salt Lake City Corporation officers and employees, including statutory officers, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmember Stoler who voted nay.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Kirk said she had questions about the compensation policy and thought the policy needed to be reviewed. She was concerned about the executive pay plan specifically. Councilmember Stoler asked if there would be an across the board percentage increase for the 300 series. Gordon Hoskins, finance department, said no, but there was a recommendation to give a cash adjustment around December which would not affect base. Councilmember Stoler indicated that he thought some of the new executive pay ranges were excessive and felt the current ranges were adequate.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck said the executives were highly skilled professionals and the Williams Study determined what they could make if they were working somewhere else. She thought the city would do itself a disservice if some of these positions were replaced for less money although she agreed that there needed to be a compensation policy. Mayor DePaulis said the executive salary ranges were carefully considered. Councilmember Bittner said there seemed to be a general feeling of unease among the Council about the executive pay plan and she strongly suggested that during this coming year the Council take steps to bring this under control
(O 87-10)
#5. RE: An ordinance relating to garbage and refuse, establishing a fee of $4.00 per month and creating an abatement program.
ACTION: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to adopt Ordinance 37 of 1987 amending and enacting certain sections of Section 18-2-1, Et Seq., of the Revised Ordinances of Salt Lake City, Utah, 1965, relating to garbage and refuse; establishing a fee of $4.00 per month and creating an abatement program, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler who voted nay.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Stoler said he was concerned with how a garbage fee would affect older citizens on a fixed income. He said he and Councilmember Bittner had proposed cuts so this fee wouldn’t have to be imposed and said in his area the opposition was 40 to 1. Councilmember Hardwick said he opposed the $4.00 a month fee but the Council had to balance the budget. Councilmember Kirk said the alternative to either cut the budget or raise property taxes had been voted down.
Councilmember Godfrey thought this was a good management tool and said the money would only be used to cover the cost for garbage collection. He said the other option to cut programs would hurt the people of Salt Lake City and said the garbage fee also protected people from increased property taxes. He said the people of Salt Lake City wanted service delivery. Councilmember Kirk supported the garbage fee because it created an enterprise fund which made it more manageable and she said it would be administered in a more business-like manner. She said several people a day had called her telling her not to increase garbage fees but she indicated that she got opposition when she told them the other alternatives were to raise property taxes or cut services. Councilmember Mabey expressed concern about what enterprise funds would be created in the future in order to balance the budget and said this fee cost more for tax payers than if property taxes were raised.
Councilmember Stoler referred to the ordinance and said he was concerned about the deadline to pay the bill not giving people enough time. Councilmember Bittner also thought the deadline wasn’t long enough. Councilmember Godfrey indicated that these guidelines needed to be tried and if they didn’t work the ordinance could be changed.
(O 87-13)
#6. RE: A resolution adopting budgets of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 1987, and ending June 30, 1988.
ACTION: Revenue Adjustments. Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to adjust the general fund revenues to reflect current projections as follows: Decrease the projected property tax revenue by $682,700; increase projected parking ticket collections by $125,000; increase projected sales tax collections by $134,000; and reduce parking meter revenues by $260,000. Property tax forecasts have declined primarily as a result of the State adoption of an accelerated depreciation schedule on personal property.
Parking ticket collections have increased as a result of Council action increasing the fines on willful violations to a level above that recommended by the Mayor. Sales tax projections have increased due to a recalibration of the State’s sales-tax model. The reduction in parking meter revenue is due to Council action lowering the Mayor’s proposal from 60 cents an hour to 50 cents an hour. Which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to increase the general fund revenue projections by an additional $75,000 to reflect a public utilities department enterprise fund reimbursement for phone system charges, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to increase general fund interfund reimbursements by $50,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Expenditure Reductions: Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the Mayor’s general fund budget by $922,000, which motion failed, Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye and Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay.
Administrative Services: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to reduce the Mayor’s proposed general fund budget by $20,000 to be removed from the funds allocated for fleet acquisitions, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to reduce the fleet management internal service fund by $20,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the general fund in personal services in the administrative service budget by $90,000, which motion failed, Councilmembers Bittner, Mabey, and Stoler voted aye and Councilmembers Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey and Kirk voted nay.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the administrative services data processing internal service fund by $91,132, thus denying the increase of three FTES for data processing, which motion failed, Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye and Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the general fund in the administrative services personal services budget by $11,964 thus denying the funding and FTE authorization for 1/2 FTE for the additional custodian for the jail facility, which motion failed, Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye and Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted aye.
City Attorney: Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the general fund for the city attorney’s personal services budget by $30,000. No vote was taken since there was a substitute motion.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the general fund for the city attorney’s contract services budget by $30,000, which motion failed, Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye and Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay.
Development Services: Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to reduce the development services department budget by $53,000 to be removed from the economic development division to eliminate funding for the executive assistant for economic development, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to reduce the development services department general fund budget by $16,000 currently associated with the demolition project and increase the development services department demolition fund by $16,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to reduce the development services department general fund budget by $10,000 currently associated with the weed abatement program and increase the development services department weed abatement fund by $10,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to increase the general fund non-departmental transfers budget by $26,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the general fund in the development services personal services budget by $150,000, which motion failed, Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye, Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay.
Fire Department: Councilmember Kirk moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to decrease the requested budget of the fire department by $602,000 to reflect the costs of opening Fire Station No. 9 at the Salt Lake International Center; and to authorize 360 full time equivalent positions in the fire department, thereby denying the increase of 21 fire fighters and three lieutenants for staffing for Fire Station No. 9 at the Salt Lake International Center. No vote was taken on this motion because Councilmember Stoler made a substitute motion.
Councilmember Stoler moved and Councilmember Bittner seconded to fund the $602,000 for Fire Station No. 9 at the International Center. Roger Cutler, city attorney, said this motion was out of order because the money was already specified in the budget for this purpose. He said if Councilmember Kirk’s motion passed, the money would be taken out but if it failed the money would stay in.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to amend Councilmember Kirk’s motion, which motion carried, Councilmembers Bittner, Mabey, Fonnesbeck, and Hardwick voted aye and Councilmembers Stoler, Kirk, and Godfrey voted nay.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to decrease the requested budget of the fire department by $602,000 to reflect the costs for Fire Station No. 9 at the Salt Lake International Center and put the money in the contingency fund; then review budget revenues in 6 months to determine if the fire station could be funded at that time, which motion carried, Councilmembers Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted aye and Councilmembers Bittner, Mabey and Stoler voted nay.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to eliminate funding in the amount of $44,096 for two fire prevention specialists and eliminate those FTEs from the staffing document, which motion failed, Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay and Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to decrease the fire department budget by $103,000 allocated for early retirement costs. This motion was withdrawn.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to eliminate general fund in the amount of $15,892 from the fire department budget, thereby eliminating both funding and FTE authorization for one custodian, which motion failed, Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay and Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye.
Parks Department: Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the general fund in the parks department by $10,000 thereby denying the funding and the FTE authorization for a part time seasonal maintenance person, which motion failed, Councilmembers Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay and Councilmembers Bittner, Mabey, and Stoler voted aye.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the general fund in the parks department personal services budget by $180,000, which motion failed, Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay and Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye.
Public Works: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to decrease the public works department budget by $30,000, but approve the increase in staffing to accommodate the addition of one Traffic Engineer I in the transportation division, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmember Mabey who voted nay.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to decrease the public works department budget by $35,000 to be accommodated by the delayed hiring of one associate engineer position, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the general fund in the public works personal services budget by $27,412, thus eliminating both the funding and the FTE authorization for one half of a general maintenance worker and one customer service representative, both associated with the refuse collection program, which motion failed, Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay and Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to reduce the general fund budget in public works by $47,032, denying funding and FTE authorization for one Traffic Engineer Technician and one Traffic Engineer I. This motion was withdrawn. Linda Hamilton, Council Executive Director, explained that action on the Traffic Engineer I was taken in another motion.
Capital Improvements Program: Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to decrease the capital projects fund by $97,000, thereby removing the purchase of land for a fire station in the vicinity of north Redwood Road from the Fiscal Year 1987-88 list of projects, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to decrease the capital projects fund by $100,000, thereby removing improvements at Lindsey Gardens from the Fiscal Year 1987-88 list of projects, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to decrease the capital projects fund by $50,000 and increase the fire department general fund budget by $50,000 for the purpose of funding the fire department1s move to the consolidated public safety building, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to decrease the capital projects fund contingency fund by $50,000, leaving a contingency fund balance of $156,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to decrease transfers to the capital projects fund by $247,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Municipal Affairs: Councilmember Hardwick moved to eliminate funding from the municipal affairs budget in the amount of $75,000 for the Shared Services Task Force. No one seconded this motion.
Non-departmental: Councilmember Kirk moved to eliminate funding for merit increases for city employees; savings generated should be $525,000 in general fund and $142,500 in the non-general funds. No one seconded this motion.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to reduce the general fund transfers to the benefit self-insurance fund associated with the early retirement window by $54,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to reduce the benefit self-insurance fund by $54,000, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Additional Allocations: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to allocate an additional $432,300 to the general fund contingency, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler who voted nay.
Councilmember Hardwick moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to increase the debt service fund budget by $1,059,000 of the assessment revenue and $212,000 of the interest revenue associated with the requirement to appropriate special assessment principal and interest payments, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to increase the Central Business Improvement District budget by $102,500 to be allocated from the CBID fund balance, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
General Motions: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to approve the 1987-88 general fund budget totaling $81,526,300 and adopt Resolution 72 of 1987 adopting budgets of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 1987, and ending June 30, 1988, including all other budgets as presented and altered through Council motion. Councilmember Bittner made a substitute motion.
Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Stoler seconded to approve the 1987-88 general fund budget totaling $79,326,300 which eliminates the funding for the garbage pick-up, which motion failed, Councilmembers Mabey, Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay and Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler voted aye. The original motion was then voted upon, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler who voted nay.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to approve the 1987-88 library budget for $4,456,311 and adopt Resolution 73 of 1987 adopting the budget of the Salt Lake City Library for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 1987, and ending June 30, 1988, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Legislative Intents:
#1. Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Bittner seconded to approve an intent that the administration prepare a plan for rotational replacement of the city’s fleet. The objective of the proposed rotation is the avoidance of having to make large fleet acquisitions requiring bonding. The plan should be submitted to the Council by October 1987, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmembers Godfrey and Kirk who voted nay.
#2. Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to approve an intent that the administration propose a plan of implementation for the remainder of the recommendations in the Buracker audit of the police department and that the plan be presented to the City Council no later than March 1988, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler who voted nay.
#3. Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to approve an intent that funding for the crime prevention program be moved from the community development block grant allocation to the general fund as soon as possible, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmembers Bittner and Stoler who voted nay.
#4. Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to approve an intent that the administration initiate negotiations with the Salt Lake City School District with the objective of the School District assuming half the funding for school crossing guards, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
#5. Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to approve an intent that the Office of Human Resources coordinate closely with the Council and Council Staff in the development of a city compensation policy and include the early retirement incentives and the executive pay plan, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
#6. Councilmember Kirk moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to approve an intent that the administration conduct a study of current and proposed fire station locations and include a public process requirement before a fire station is closed, to be submitted for Council review no later than February 1988, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
#7. Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to approve an intent that the administration continue to work to refine the Mayor’s budget document. Specifically, it is the intent of the Council that the budget document concisely describe the mission, objectives, and roles of each department and program; show revenue collection to facilitate evaluation of the purported self- sufficiency of specified programs; and improve the method of accounting for personnel in the staffing document, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
#8. Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to approve an intent that the new softball diamond at the Salt Lake International Airport be open for public use and that scheduling and maintenance be provided by the parks department. After Council discussion, Councilmember rephrased her motion. Councilmember Bittner moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to approve an intent that the administration study the use and scheduling of the softball diamond at the Salt Lake City International Airport and if the legal questions can be resolved that it be turned over to the parks department for maintenance and scheduling, which motion failed, Councilmembers Fonnesbeck, Hardwick, Godfrey, and Kirk voted nay and Councilmembers Bittner, Mabey and Stoler voted aye.
#9. Councilmember Stoler moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to approve an intent that the administration assist the library to identify and use additional revenue sources, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Revenue Adjustments: Councilmember Fonnsebeck said the $50,000 increase to the general fund interfund was for the fire department moving fund.
Expenditure Reductions: Councilmember Bittner said reducing the Mayor’s general fund budget by $922,000 represented approximately 1.1% across the board except for enterprise funds. Councilmember Godfrey expressed his concern because during the budget process the Council had indicated they wouldn’t do an across-the-board cut but would indicate specific programs they wanted to cut. He said if the Council made an across-the-board cut then they were turning their responsibility over to the Mayor and asking him to make the cuts. He asked Mrs. Bittner why she was suggesting this.
Councilmember Bittner said that since last year when the garbage fee was being discussed she said she wouldn’t support this kind of fee without indication of substantial cuts, primarily from the 300 employee series. She said there had been no reduction in staffing levels and said her proposed cuts would eliminate the need for imposing a garbage tax which she strongly opposed. She said many of her constituents also opposed this. Councilmember Kirk said during the budget process the majority of the Council agreed to cut programs rather than make an across-the-board cut and she said she had suggested possible programs to cut.
Councilmember Hardwick said he felt uncomfortable with an across-the-board cut since it was the Council’s responsibility to make program cuts rather than leaving it up to the Mayor. Councilmember Bittner said the Council had tried to identify programs and were unable to. She said this was the best compromise she had been able to arrive at and thought the 1% cut was minimal. She said the alternative was to implement the garbage fee and this was unacceptable to her.
Councilmember Mabey was concerned with cuts in public works and he said many of the projects were in his district. Councilmember Kirk asked Joe Anderson, public works director, the impact this cut would have. Mr. Anderson said this cut would affect the concrete replacement program, community development funding, non-contiguous special improvement districts, 900 West, and Euclid and 4th North projects. He also said snow removal and neighborhood clean-up would be affected.
Councilmember Stoler expressed concern about the cost of the garbage fee to the home owners. Councilmember Fonnesbeck opposed an across-the-board cut since it was the Council’s responsibility to take the political ramifications for budget decisions. She said the Council had numerous occasions to cut programs. Mayor DePaulis said the garbage fee represented about 2.08 mills and if the Council didn’t approve this then the property tax would have to be raised about 2 mills. Councilmember Bittner said the garbage fee would only be paid by home owners whereas property tax would also apply to businesses. She was concerned with the burden the garbage fee would place on the home owners. Councilmember Kirk said if the Council approved a property tax increase instead of the garbage fee then the businesses would be paying a portion of the cost of collecting garbage for home owners. Councilmember Stoler agreed with Councilmember Bittner. Councilmember Mabey thought low income people would feel a bigger impact with the garbage fee than with a property tax increase.
Administrative Services: Councilmember Mabey asked if the $90,000 cut to personal services fn the administrative service budget would include the motorcycle repair position. Councilmember Fonnesbeck said the department head would probably make the decision about which positions to cut.
In reference to the $91,132 cut to the data processing internal service fund, Councilmember Mabey asked if the FTEs to be cut would be the trainee personnel. Mayor DePaulis said they would cut the requested increase in the number of employees. Councilmember Fonnesbeck said she had to vote against this because the Council had opportunities to deny increases in computer use to various departments and the Council granted the increases so she couldn’t deny the necessary personnel.
Councilmember Stoler said the Council approved the increase for microcomputers which did not necessarily have to tie in to the main frame. Lance Bateman, finance director, said the data base was stored in the main frame. Linda Hamilton, Council Executive Director, said this was a service level increase that was requested by administrative services because of the proliferation of microcomputers. She said the number of microcomputers created an enormous work load on the data processing people who serviced them.
In reference to cutting $11,964 for the 1/2 FTE for the additional custodian at the jail, Councilmember Fonnesbeck said the Council hadn’t discussed this and she didn’t know how significant this position was. Councilmember Mabey said this was the jailer that the county reimbursed the city for by 50%. He said the city had to furnish a person.
City Attorney: In reference to the cut in personal services, Councilmember Mabey asked if this was a replacement position. Roger Cutler, city attorney, said it could be a full time prosecutor or a reduction in salaries; he said he didn’t know Councilmember Bittner’s intention. Councilmember Bittner said this would be a reduction for the contract work. Mr. Cutler said if this was coming out of the personal services budget he assumed it would be a reduction in staff or salaries. He said if the contract personnel in the prosecutor’s office were cut they would have to cut back in services and he said if she was referring to the contract budget for outside legal services he didn’t know what they would do since sometimes they needed outside attorneys to defend specialty law suits.
Development Services: In reference to cutting the personal services budget by $150,000, Councilmember Bittner said that one year ago she requested the Mayor to reduce the 300 series by 5%. She said no cuts were made and that was why she was proposing these cuts in each department. She said she would do the same thing next year if the cuts were not made.
Councilmember Godfrey said an audit was done in this area and the 300 series had not grown by the percentage that Council- member Bittner originally thought. He said the 300 series had increased because the Council had approved the requests. Councilmember Bittner said when there was a tight budget she thought the city as well as the public should share the burden. Councilmember Kirk thought new FTEs should be cut rather than current positions. Mrs. Bittner said she had suggested that the cuts be through retirements and attrition as well as new FTEs.
Mayor DePaulis said that in 1981 there were 1,750.60 FTEs in the general fund. He said in the current year there were 1,676.98 FTEs. He said if the Council approved his budget the city would be only 16 employees greater than when the Council took office in 1980; this included the airport and public utilities. He said the general fund would still be 14 employees fewer and said the city was doing more with fewer people. Councilmember Stoler said companies were reducing the number of employees in the mid-management area and he said the police department was reducing its middle management.
Councilmember Godfrey said the police was reducing mid management because of consolidation and the positions were not needed. Council- member Fonnesbeck said the 300 series also included professionals like planners, engineers, and accountants. She said the growth in the 300 series was because city government was hiring professionals. Councilmember Hardwick said the mid-management cuts were parallel with general layoffs in the work force.
Fire Department: Councilmember Kirk said the issue of decreasing funding from the fire department budget for Fire Station No. 9 had been hotly debated but she believed the International Center had not grown rapidly enough to need the fire fighters. She thought at this point the $600,000 could be a savings for the tax payers and should be returned to them. Councilmember Bittner said this was in her district and indicated that she was getting some pressure about it.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck suggested that the money be put in contingency and if the revenues were good in 6 months then the Council would have the option of funding the fire station for half a year. Mayor DePaulis said the International Center needed the fire station since response times were longer than any other place in the city. He also said this station would add support for the airport and said they had considered two other locations, Redwood Road and Centennial Park, for fire stations. He said he wouldn’t have asked for funding if he didn’t think it was necessary. Councilmember Kirk said she asked for a study to show where the fire problems were. Councilmember Stoler said he thought the fire station needed to be funded as requested. Battalion Chief Klein, fire department, said they wanted to start training fire fighters for this fire station on the first of July because of the weather conditions and said if they didn’t get funding until January they would be training at the worst time of the year since most of their training was done outside. He said the need was real on the west side and this station would cover the largest geographical section of the city.
In reference to eliminating funding for two fire prevention specialists, Councilmember Fonnesbeck said she thought the work performed by these positions was mandated and asked Fire Chief Pederson if they weren’t required to do inspections. Chief Pederson said in 1983 the Council voted to adopt the Uniform Fire Code which outlined 23 inspection requirements. He said last year they cut positions and he pulled people out of the fire prevention bureau rather than close a fire station but he said they have gotten behind in the fire prevention program and were unable to meet the high rise inspections. He said if these positions weren’t funded he would have to make other modifications and said he would recommend closing a fire station in order to put people back in the fire prevention program.
In reference to decreasing the fire department budget by $103,000 for early retirement costs, Mayor DePaulis said he recommended this decrease only if the Council didn’t decrease the fire department’s budget by the $600,000 that was budgeted for the fire station. He said if they did both they would double cut the fire department. Councilmember Godfrey said other departments were dealing with early retirement in their own budgets and he thought the fire department should do the same.
Mayor DePaulis explained that if the fire department had the $600,000 to hire fire fighters for Fire Station No. 9 then the fire chief could delay hiring in order to absorb the $103,000. Geoff Smith, Council Staff, recommended that the Council not cut the $103,000 because the fire department would be penalized. Councilmember Godfrey asked how other departments were dealing with early retirements and Mr. Smith said they delayed hiring.
In reference to eliminating funding for a custodian, Fire Chief Pederson said 28 positions were cut last year in order to balance the budget and one was the custodian. He said his staff was cleaning the fire station facilities and he questioned if any other city department was doing their own cleaning. He said they couldn’t cut any more and they needed the position.
Parks Department: In reference to reducing the parks department personal services budget by $180,000, Councilmember Mabey asked what general area would be impacted and Mayor DePaulis said this would be an across-the-board cut.
Public Works: In reference to delaying the hiring of one associate engineer position, Mayor DePaulis said he recommended this cut only if the Council didn’t cut the fire fighters.
Capital Improvements Program: In reference to removing $97,000 to purchase land for a fire station in the vicinity of north Redwood Road, Councilmember Fonnesbeck said this was not an attempt to stop that purchase but said they had good information that $97,000 would not be needed for the purchase.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck said she would vote to decrease the capital projects fund by $100,000 which would remove improvements at Lindsey Gardens from Fiscal Year 1987-88 with the understanding that this project would be funded from the 1986-87 budget.
Non-departmental: Councilmember Bittner said she couldn’t support eliminating funding for merit increases because this would be balancing the budget on the backs of the city employees and she didn’t think this was fair. Councilmember Kirk said she thought the Council might be balancing the budget on the backs of the tax payers. She said the business community was facing severe restrictions, employees were not getting raises and some people were losing their jobs. She thought it would be appropriate for Salt Lake City to take the lead. Councilmember Stoler added that it wouldn’t be fair to cut merit increases after the executives got pay raises.
Additional Allocations: In reference to increasing the debt service fund budget, Councilmember Bittner asked if this was to fund the garbage pick up. Lance Bateman, finance director, said there were new accounting rules changing the method of reporting special assessments and that is what this issue applied to.
General Motions: In reference to the Council adopting the budget at $81,526,300, Mayor DePaulls said there was a $100,000 difference from last year’s budget which was $81,600,000; he said this was remarkable.
In reference to the library budget, Councilmember Kirk said they would adopt Scenario A if they approved the budget for $4,456,311.
Legislative Intents: In reference to intent number 1, Councilmember Godfrey said he thought there was already a rotational plan in place for the city’s fleet. He said the only reason it hadn’t always been followed was because there had been shortfalls. He said he hated to pass an intent that didn’t do a great deal. Councilmember Mabey indicated that he didn’t think the rotational schedule was set up to the extent that the Council wanted and said this would give the Council an idea about what they needed to consider.
In reference to intent number 2, the Buracker audit, Councilmember Bittner said she was uncomfortable with this because she didn’t know how much it would cost to implement the plan. Councilmember Fonnesbeck said this intent called for a proposed plan of implementation. Councilmember Hardwick said the costs of implementation should be part of the plan. Councilmember Bittner said the Buracker study should be the plan and the Council shouldn’t need a plan to implement a plan.
In reference to intent number 6, Councilmember Stoler asked if the city already had a study. Mayor DePaulis said yes and asked Councilmember Kirk specifically if she meant geographics, closures, etc. He said there was already a plan which had studied this information. Councilmember Kirk said she knew there was a 1982 study but said she also wanted to consider the idea of having a public process before closing a fire station. Mayor DePaulis said this was different from the previous study.
In reference to intent number 8 regarding the softball diamond at the airport, Roger Cutler, city attorney, expressed concern because he understood that this diamond was built in agreement with other parties outside the city and that it was property owned in the enterprise fund. He said this was an appropriate matter to evaluate but he didn’t think the administration had the ability to open this diamond for public use under current law and ownership of the facility. Councilmember Bittner said she was getting a lot of pressure about this softball diamond from people in her district.
Mayor DePaulis said he may have no control at all over this situation. Louis Miller, director of airports, said he believed the softball field, built on airport property, could not be turned over to the parks department since that would violate the airport bond resolutions and the agreement with the airlines, unless the property was acquired and purchased from the airport. He said the softball field was built as a joint venture with the Air National Guard and the Airport Authority to serve the 5,000 employees who work at the airport. He said the city employees were using the field for their leagues but he didn’t think it could be turned over to the city.
Councilmember Bittner said the people in her district were seeing this diamond and expecting to use it since it was on public property. She expressed concern that enterprise funds acted like private businesses and said the airport had never compensated the citizens of Salt Lake City for the capital investment in the airport. She felt there was a dangerous attitude when these kinds of facilities, better than those provided to the public, were built by an enterprise fund for the use of city employees.
She said citizens were unhappy when they were told that the ball diamond was only for city employees. Mr. Miller said he understood Mrs. Bittner’s concern but said that tax money was not used to build the airport, airport revenues were used. Mrs. Bittner said her point was that the airport belonged to the public and the facilities should be available to them and not for the exclusive use of city employees. Mr. Miller said it was used by the 5,000 employees who worked at the airport including the airlines. Mr. Cutler said he felt that Mr. Miller did not object to this issue being reviewed and he said it was appropriate to do so.
(B 87-5, B 87-4)
#7. RE: Resolutions determining the rate of tax levy and levying taxes upon all real and personal property within Salt Lake City, Utah, made taxable by law for the year 1987.
ACTION: Councilmember Hardwick moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to increase the property tax rate by .000417 for a total tax rate of .004787; the $2,200,000 of funds generated to be used for refuse collection and increase the general fund to $25,280,771, which motion failed, Councilmembers Bittner, Fonnesbeck Godfrey, Kirk, and Staler voted nay and Councilmembers Mabey and Hardwick voted aye.
Councilmember Kirk moved to reduce the property tax rate an amount equal to $432,300 at a rate of .000082. She withdrew this motion after discussion.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Fonnesbeck seconded to adopt Resolution 74 of 1987 determining the rate of tax at .004370 in the amount of $23,080,771; and levying taxes upon all real and personal property within Salt Lake City, Utah, made taxable by law for the Salt Lake City General Fund Budget, Fiscal Year 1987-88, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Councilmember Stoler who voted nay.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to adopt Resolution 76 of 1987 ordering a notice and hearing pursuant to Chapter 9, Title 59, Utah Code Annotated (1953 as amended), due to the intent to increase the certified tax rate for Fiscal Year 1987-88, to be held Thursday, August 6, 1987, at 5:00 p.m., which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to adopt Resolution 75 of 1987 determining the rate of tax at .00079 in the dollar amount of $4,456,311, and levying taxes upon all real and personal property within Salt Lake City, Utah, made taxable by law, for the Salt Lake City Library Budget, Fiscal Year 1987-88, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Hardwick said he felt it was more equitable to the general public if the Council approved a mill levy increase to fund the refuse collection. He thought the impact would be less since it would only be about $18.00 a year on a $70,000 home as opposed to charging $48.00 per year for a garbage fee. He also said business should share in the cost of keeping the city clean. Councilmember Kirk said she thought increasing the property tax was opposite to what the Council should do. Councilmember Godfrey said his problem with increasing the property tax was that every time mills were added, over a period of time as property was re-assessed, they went up in value and he thought that in the long run, the garbage fee would be better. He realized the concerns with businesses having to cover the cost for residential garbage pick-up and also the concerns with landlords increasing rents. He thought if there was a property tax increase landlords would pass this cost to the renters but said they would still have to pick up the renters garbage without necessarily passing the fee on to them. He opposed the property tax increase.
Councilmember Hardwick said the businesses depended on income from the city residents and he thought a shared cost was equitable. Councilmember Kirk said in the Mayor’s budget his proposal was to have business share in the cost by increased business license fees and if property tax was raised they would suffer twice. Councilmember Fonnesbeck said last year at the Truth in Taxation hearing the vast majority of people asked the Council to find an alternative to increased property taxes. She said the state had eliminated a lot of the City’s options and the City was only left with property taxes or fees. She said her choice to support the garbage fee was at the request of the people who came to the hearing last year.
Councilmember Mabey thought the fairest way this year was to raise property taxes and then look at cutting funds back in the departments. Councilmember Bittner said a third alternative was to make personnel cuts and said she wouldn’t vote for a garbage fee or a property tax increase until she had seen these cuts. Councilmember Hardwick said he thought the Council had made all the rational cuts they could make and he didn’t see how they could make additional cuts without hurting programs. He thought the only debate was how to fund the garbage pick-up: with a fee or increased property taxes.
Councilmember Kirk expressed her concern about the long-term effect of increasing property tax and thought the enterprise fund would be more equitable in the long run since it was a fee for service and the property tax had a multiplier effect. Councilmember Stoler said he opposed the garbage fee and the property tax increase. Councilmember Kirk suggested that the property tax be reduced so they could give money back to the tax payers. Mayor DePaulis said if the Council did this the budget wouldn’t balance.
(R 87-2, B 87-4)
MAYOR’S OFFICE
#1. RE: Memorandums of Understanding with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1004, and with the Western Alliance of State, County and Municipal Employees.
ACTION: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Hardwick seconded to adopt Resolution 69 of 1987 approving the Memorandum of Understanding between Salt Lake City Corporation and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 1004, which motion carried, all members voted aye except Council- member Mabey who was absent for the vote.
Councilmember Hardwick moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to adopt Resolution 70 of 1987 approving the Memorandum of Understanding between Salt Lake City Corporation and the Western Alliance of State, County and Municipal Employees, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Stoler asked for an explanation about the pay increases that the employees would be getting under these new contracts. Gordon Hoskins, finance department, explained that the AFSCME scale was increased by 4.8 percent and an additional step was added which equaled 2.5 percent. He said this additional merit step would be realized in Fiscal Year 1988-89 and said their plan would now be a four-step plan instead of a three-step plan. He explained that a new employee would make 10% below the journeyman rate and after 6 months the employee would get a 5% increase.
After another 6 months the employee would get the journeyman rate. Mr. Hoskins said the journeyman rate was increased by 4.8% and a year after being at the journeyman rate the employee would get a merit increase of 2.5%, which was the new step that had been added to the plan. In reference to WASCME, Mr. Hoskins said their scale was increased by 1.3% across the board and an additional step was added to the end of their scale.
(C 87-290, C 87-291)
PUBLIC WORKS
#1. RE: Bid opening for Special Lighting District #2.
ACTION: Councilmember Godfrey moved and Councilmember Mabey seconded to refer the bid to transportation, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Kathryn Marshall, city recorder, opened the bid. Utah Power and Light was the only bidder. The total cost to operate District 2 for five years was $510,539.80, which did not include franchise tax and inflation.
(Q 87-7)
#2. RE: An interlocal agreement with Utah Department of Transportation for the state to test bituminous material samples provided by the city.
ACTION: Councilmember Mabey moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to adopt Resolution 66 of 1987 authorizing the execution of an interlocal cooperation agreement between Salt Lake City Corporation and the Utah Department of Transportation Research and Materials Division for the state to test bituminous material samples provided by the city, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(C 87-288)
#3. RE: Special Improvement Districts 38-750 and 38-800.
ACTION: Councilmember Stoler moved and Councilmember Godfrey seconded to approve the Official Notice of Bond Sale, the Abbreviated Notice of Sale, and the Official Statement for the $185,000 Special Assessment Bonds, Series 1987, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Curb and Gutter Extension No. 38-800 and for the $283,000 Special Assessment Bonds, Series 1987 of Salt Lake City, Utah, Special Improvement District Curb and Gutter Extension No. 38-750, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(Q 84-1, Q 86-4)
COMMENTS
#1. Richard Everline, 767 11th Avenue, expressed concern about the size of the garbage cans which would be used in conjunction with the new garbage pick up program. He asked if the cans would have wheels or if they would stay on the curb side all the time. He was concerned about the maneuverability of the garbage cans up and down a hill and also on ice and snow.
Councilmember Fonnesbeck said the Council had received a lot of calls, especially from people on 10th Avenue, because of the steepness and because of the elderly people who could not get the can up and down the hills. She said apparently the city would deal with problems on an individual basis and those on very steep hills would need a special plan. She said the names of those who had called were given to the public works department and representatives had talked to those people individually.
She told Mr. Everline that if he felt this was a problem she recommended that he give Joe Anderson, public works director, his name and address so someone could contact him. She said they would have several months to solve the problems since this area wouldn’t be in the initial group changing to the mechanized garbage pick up.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.