Additional
City Council Announcements
December 13, 2011
H. Information Needed by Council Staff
1. Updates to the Landlord / Tenant Program
Since the Council’s October briefing, the Administration has been producing the “how-to” video for the self-certification process; updating the self-certification form; and producing the online training video and resources. In addition to this progress, Council staff is proposing some work to address the concerns that have been raised about the lease addendum (the document required between the landlord and tenant) and the management agreement (the document signed between the landlord and the City). Council staff would help prepare new documents for the Council and Administration’s review. The changes would be aimed at striking a balance with both Landlord and Tenant issues and rights. Specifically, staff may propose that the lease addendum be eliminated; change and add to the management agreement; and possibly provide a list or pamphlet on tenant resources. Some of these items may result in an ordinance amendment.
Is the Council supportive of this approach and of the additional staff time necessary to complete the project? Yes
I. For Your Information
1. Library: Best Practices Study/Performance Audit
Council staff has started preliminary work with the Salt Lake City Library Board of Directors and the Library System’s interim director to develop a scope of services for a Best Practices Study/Performance Audit of the Library System. The Library Board called for a performance audit by the City Council in its October 28 joint statement by the Board and Beth Elder pertaining to Ms. Elder’s resignation as Library Director. The last time the City Council commissioned a Best Practices Study/Performance Audit of the Library System was 1997.
The Library Board probably will discuss items it may wish to see as part of the study in the near future. Council staff will continue to work with the Board and will circulate a draft scope of services for the City Council to review and provide comments and suggestions before preparing a request for proposals for a study and performance audit. As with all Council audits and formal studies, it will be conducted in accordance with professional auditing standards. Ms. Gust-Jenson asked if the Council wanted staff to start working on the scope. A majority of the Council was in favor. She said when a draft was ready, it would be circulated to Council Members. She said input would be received from the Board and the Council would have final approval before an RFP was issued.
2. 2012 Council Meeting Schedule
Based on the discussion of the November meeting dates, Council Staff has updated the 2012 Council Meeting Schedule. Ms. Gust-Jenson said the most difficult issue was the November meeting dates due to the Presidential Election. She said potential dates included the 13th, 20th, and 27th. A majority of the Council was in favor of those dates. Ms. Gust-Jenson said the Council always had the opportunity to adjust the schedule if necessary.
J. Grants for Council’s Review - The Administration has forwarded information about the following grant opportunities that they are pursuing. Following is a quick list of the items. A memo with more information is attached. If the Council does not have any objections, and the City is awarded the grant, these will come back through the Consent and Budget Amendment process.
1. TACT Readiness Program – US Dept of Transportation grant - **Grant Funded position** Ms. Gust-Jenson said this item might require more discussion because it would involve a little bit of policy emphasis that we don’t have now and it may involve a new position or re-assignment of an existing position. Councilmember Christensen said it was an existing position and the grant focused around large vehicles. He said there already is a team which did safety enforcement but this focuses on the awareness campaign of being safe in regards to pedestrian/bike issues. Ms. Gust-Jenson said the part she was worried about was when funding was tight they asked the Council not to fund that truck safety team and she did not think it was funded right now. She said staff was unable to get all of the answers. Councilmember Love asked if Council Members wanted further clarification. A majority of the Council said no.
a. Purpose / Goal of the Grant: TACT is the Ticketing Aggressive Cars & Trucks program designed to reduce traffic-related fatalities. This grant would increase the City’s efforts to track and target traffic safety issues. There are two grant opportunities – a ‘Readiness grant’ (current application) and then later the possibility of an ‘Implementation grant’. The current application is for the Readiness grant and would fund program planning, communications, and enforcement in Salt Lake City designed to reduce traffic related fatalities within City limits. The Readiness grant would provide a grant-funded analyst position to assist with statistical data and research and increase reporting accuracy; a contracted research firm to analyze the data for “causation factors”; and a contract with a PR firm to conduct focus groups and surveys used in the development of a public awareness campaign.
b. Grant amount: $247,170 from the US Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Division, through their FY2012 High Priority Grant.
c. Match Requirement: 20% (proposed to be fulfilled with Sergeant level management)
d. *New Position*: The Readiness grant would fund one new analyst position. If the City were to apply and receive the “Implementation” grant, that would extend the position funding for an additional year.
The Council may wish to consider asking the Administration whether the analyst position would be kept if the grant were not extended, and if so, what the position would be used for. The Council may also wish to consider whether the issues related to traffic safety are a high enough priority to dedicate a Sergeant’s time to the program, too. The Council may wish to pull this item from the routine approval process and discuss in more depth before receiving the grant, if the grant is awarded to Salt Lake City.
2. Art Institute – Student Art Contest
a. Purpose / Goal of the Grant: support the Student Art Contest with equipment, participant t-shirts, and refreshments for judges.
b. Grant amount: $2,500 from The Art Institute of Salt Lake City.
c. Match Requirement: none.
3. North Temple Brownfields Assessment- EPA
a. Purpose / Goal of the Grant: fund consultant time to conduct Phase II environmental assessments of brownfield sites along the North Temple corridor. Study intended to guide future redevelopment of properties. Other involved agencies: Envision Utah, Fairpark Community Council, Jordan River Commission, NeighborWorks, North Temple Community Advisory Committee, Poplar Grove Community Council, RDA, Health Department, and Utah DEQ.
b. Grant amount requested: $301,865 through US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
c. Match Requirement: none.
4. Youth Garden Grant – Unity Gardens – 2 related grants
National Gardening Association Grant:
a. Purpose / Goal of the Grant: equipment and supplies for the Unity Gardens to support the Youth Entrepreneur Garden program.
b. Grant amount: $1,000 from the National Gardening Association
c. Match Requirement: none.
Walmart Foundation / Sam’s Club Grant:
a. Purpose / Goal of the Grant: - same - equipment and supplies for the Unity Gardens to support the Youth Entrepreneur Garden program.
b. Grant amount: $2,500 from the Walmart Foundation / Sam’s Club
c. Match Requirement: none.
5. Unity Computer Center – Walmart Store
a. Purpose / Goal of the Grant: support two hourly teaching positions at the Unity Computer Center. The teachers are involved with classes to teach computer literacy.
b. Grant amount: $4,000 from the Walmart Foundation / Walmart Store local community contribution program.
c. Match Requirement: none