The City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in Briefing Session on Tuesday, June 2, 1998, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 326, City Council Office, City County Building, 451 South State.
The following Council Members were present: Carlton Christensen Deeda Seed Keith Christensen, Joanne Miler Roger Thompson Tom Rogan Bryce Jolley.
Council Chair Jolley presided at and conducted the meeting.
Councilmember Jolley called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m.
#1. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INCLUDING REVIEW OF COUNCIL INFORMATION ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Cindy Gust-Jenson said Item 5, Library and Metropolitan Hall of Justice Block, the Administration was looking for policy direction and were prepared to answer all questions forwarded to them by the Council. She said the information was needed so the Administration would know whether to proceed with the bond election. She said if the Council was satisfied with the information the election could be done in August. Ms. Gust-Jenson said there had been no closure on the Fleet, Fire, and Police facilities issue, so direction was needed. She said this could be delayed until a later date, if necessary. She said in the opening ceremonies there would be a resolution regarding the Utah Jazz. She said the resolution would be received by Tim Howells, General Manager of the Utah Jazz. Ms. Gust-Jenson said Item C-2, Citizen Comments, the Futures Commission would send a representative who would submit a letter to the Council requesting funding for the Futures Commission. She said there had been some confusion on the issue.
#2. COUNCIL WILL INTERVIEW M. DIANE EDMONDS PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF HER APPOINTMENT TO THE HOUSING ADVISORY AND APPEALS BOARD (HAAB).
Ms. Edmonds said she was an antique and personal property appraiser and was currently restoring an old home in District 5. She said she helped with political campaigns and worked at renovating eight older homes which were listed on the Historical or Heritage Foundations. She said she felt she had an above average knowledge of construction.
#3. COUNCIL WILL RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING TAX AND REVENUE ANTICIPATION NOTES.
Gary Mumford said each year the City issued these notes because the property tax revenue came in December. He said the General Fund went into deficit and the notes allowed the City to have funding until property taxes came in. He said the Federal Government did not require the City to rebate excess interest which was earned on the notes. He said the City would earn in excess of $100,000 more revenue than what was paid on the notes. Councilmember Jolley asked if the $100,000 had been earmarked for something. Mr. Mumford said it was part of the expected revenue.
#4. COUNCIL WILL RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING THE LIBRARY AND MHJ BLOCK.
Item discussed in the Committee of the Whole following the regular Council meeting.
#5. COUNCIL WILL RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING THE MAYOR’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR NON-DEPARTMENTAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998-99.
Mr. Mumford said the Council had been given a sheet listing expenditures which were scheduled to come out of non-departmental. Councilmember C. Christensen said it looked like the City was backing out of support to the Tracy Aviary. Mr. Mumford said in the past it was on-going expenses which were paid. Steve Fawcett said when the City put Tracy Aviary under contract, the commitment was for the City to provide $200,000 per year.
(The following items were addressed in a “Committee of the Whole” setting following the public hearings. See file M 98-4.)
#5. COUNCIL WILL RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING THE LIBRARY AND MHJ BLOCK.
#6. COUNCIL WILL HOLD A DISCUSSION AND CONDUCT A STRAW POLL REGARDING COUNCIL PRIORITIES WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR 1998-99 BUDGET AND POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES.
#7. COUNCIL WILL HOLD A DISCUSSION REGARDING UNRESOLVED BUDGET ISSUES FOR FISCAL YEAR 1998-99.
Written Briefing Items:
a. Attorney’s Office
b. Demolition and Weed Abatement Funds
c. Miscellaneous Grants Operation Fund
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
The City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in Regular Session on Tuesday, June 2, 1998, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 315, City Council Office, City County Building, 451 South State.
The following Council Members were present:
Carlton Christensen Joanne Milner Tom Rogan
Deeda Seed Roger Thompson Bryce Jolley
Keith Christensen
Kay Christensen, Deputy Mayor; Roger Cutler, City Attorney; Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council Director; and Bonnie Ferrin, Deputy City Recorder, were present.
Councilmember Jolley presided at and Councilmember Seed conducted the meeting.
#1. The Council led the Pledge of Allegiance.
#2. Councilmember Jolley moved and Councilmember C. Christensen seconded to approve the minutes of the Salt Lake City Council meetings held May 12, 19, and 26, 1998, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(M 98-1)
#3. Adopting a joint resolution with the Mayor in honor of the Utah Jazz.
ACTION: Councilmember C. Christensen moved and Councilmember Jolley seconded to approve Joint Resolution 35 of 1998, supporting the Utah Jazz, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(R 98-1)
Councilmember K. Christensen read the resolution presented to Tim Howells, General Manager of the Utah Jazz.
Mr. Howells thanked the Council on behalf of Larry Miller, the front office, coaches, and players. He said the year had been a celebration of a season well played, with a lot of hard work and dedication. He said it was gratifying to see the way the community got into the spirit of the game.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Russell Neilan, 263 Wilson Avenue, said several years ago the flag pole in Liberty Park came down. He said he talked to representatives from both the DePaulis and Corradini terms about the possibility of erecting another flag pole. He said he had no success, but wanted the Council to know that it would make thousands of veterans happy to see a flag pole in Liberty Park again.
Councilmember Seed referred Mr. Neilan to Deputy Mayor Kay Christensen.
Councilmember Milner said Mr. Neilan served for many years at the Utah State Capitol as Sergeant of Arms and epitomized the citizenship which should be reflected in the City. She said she hoped it would be possible to follow through on this request.
Councilmember Thompson said if Mr. Neilan had worked through several Council representatives, the issue should be discussed as soon as possible.
John Bennett, Salt Lake City Futures Commission, Executive Committee, presented a letter to the Council.
Mike Stransky, 59 Hillside Avenue, said the individuals who worked on the Futures Commission finally published the document a few months ago and were proud of it. He said he and others talked about how they could begin to help the City implement the vision set forth in the Futures document. He asked the Council for a strong vote of confidence for the Futures document and the Futures group. He said they were looking for staff funding for one year and a place to house the staff.
Councilmember Jolley said the Council supported the Futures Commission. He said there was approximately $63,000 which would be appropriated to fund the one year request. He asked the Futures Commission representative to report back in 6 months.
CONSENT AGENDA
ACTION: Councilmember K. Christensen moved and Councilmember Jolley seconded to approve the Consent Agenda, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
#1. RE: Setting the date of July 7, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. to accept public comment and consider adopting an ordinance rezoning properties located on the north side of 900 South between 200 East and Roberta Street, from Commercial Neighborhood (CN) to Commercial Corridor (CC), pursuant to Petition No. 400-97-48.
(P 98-44)
#2. RE: Approving the appointment of Oktai Parvaz to the Historic Landmark Commission for a term extending through July 14, 1999.
(I 98-11)
#3. RE: Adopting Resolution 33 of 1998, authorizing the Mayor to execute a grant agreement with the Office of Crime Victim Reparations, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, to receive funds allocated to Salt Lake City under the Violence Against Women Formula Grant.
(C 98-156)
NEW BUSINESS
#1. RE: Adopting a resolution approving the honorary name of "Leopard Lane" for 1300 East Street between 800 South and 900 South, pursuant to Petition No. 400-97-71.
ACTION: Councilmember Thompson moved and Councilmember Jolley seconded to suspend the rules and adopt the policy and Resolution 34 of 1998, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 98-45)
#2. RE: Adopting a legislative action item asking Administration to amend the current Land Use Appeals Board ordinance, specifically 1) the Standard of Review, and 2) the number of true voting members serving on the Board.
ACTION: Councilmember Rogan moved and Councilmember Thompson seconded to adopt the Legislative action, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(O 98-20)
#3. RE: Adopting a Legislative Action item asking the Administration to draft an ordinance that will prohibit skateboarders and roller bladers in the Sugar House business area.
ACTION: Councilmember Thompson moved and Councilmember Milner seconded to adopt Legislative Action and include the Youth City Government in the discussion and preparation of the document and to help create an environment where youth can go to roller blade and skateboard, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember K. Christensen said this was in no way a statement against kids who enjoyed skateboarding and/or roller blading. He said this was a liability and safety issue. He said businesses in the area had increased concerns about their liability. He said patrons were in danger of being injured. He said it was unfortunate that there was not an area where kids could go to skate board or roller blade, but perhaps it was something the Council should consider. He wanted the audience to understand that it was only in the business district of Sugar House and not throughout the area. He said downtown Salt Lake City also prohibited the use of bicycles on the streets. He said he exempted the use of bicycles, because it was a more viable means of transportation. He said he wanted to encourage bicycles, but not as a form of recreation on sidewalks.
Councilmember Milner said she wanted to speak in behalf of Helen Peters, with the Sugar House Community Council. She said she was concerned about an obvious component left out for the drafting of the ordinance. She said young people engaging in this activity should have the opportunity to express their concerns. She said representatives from the Youth City Government said their main concerns were racial issues, but second was the skateboarding and roller blading issue. She said it was important to include the youth in the drafting of the ordinance.
She said since the City was focusing on making the City more family friendly, providing for more recreational opportunities for our youth would be a good idea. She said she could not support the ordinance unless this was built into the ordinance.
Councilmember Rogan said this could provide the Council with the opportunity for getting young people involved in something which affected their lives and that of the broader community. He said the legislative action being requested was fairly simple to carry out from a drafting point of view from the City Attorney's Office. He said it might require a little more investment of time to get the youth involved in the process. He said if this was undertaken, the youth might come up with the same suggestion.
Councilmember C. Christensen said it was not the ordinance Council was voting on, but a request to look at it. He said this process would include reviewing options for the youth. He said a minority of the skateboarders had done damage to sidewalks, and was expensive to repair. He said the Council should look at providing an alternative outlet for the youth to use these talents and provide a place for the business owners and community to regulate it. He said it was a big liability issue for business owners.
Councilmember Jolley said he understood the skill needed to participate in this sport. He said in order to develop the skill, youth needed a place to practice, but in front of these businesses was not the place. He said as evaluations were made for Capital Improvement Projects the City should see if there was a place in one of the parks or a public/private partnership together to find space for this purpose.
Councilmember Thompson said he attended a meeting of business owners from the East Valley Chamber. He said one of the representatives was from Bike, Board, and Blade, located in Sugar House. He said they indicated they were working on a site for skateboarding and roller blading.
Councilmember Seed said she had concerns because it sent the wrong message to the young people in the community. She said she would much prefer a teenager to skateboard or roller blade, than doing some of the other things certain bored teenagers did. She said she had many discussions with these young people about their concerns and what obstacles they faced. She said the most common form of stress in their lives was boredom. She said there were businesses which worked specifically with the youth. She said these groups should be brought together before any further action was taken on the issue.
She said it was ironic that this was being discussed at the same time that the City was in the process of creating a resolution to make the City more child friendly.
Councilmember K. Christen-sen said this was not about opposing skateboarding and/or roller blading, but was a time, place, and manner issue. He said it was not appropriate to put these kids in peril of hurting other people in this area. He said as a Council they should look at a place for kids to do this sport. He said the Sugar House Community Council was working to create a "street friendly" environment in Sugar House.
(O 98-33)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
#1. RE: Accept public comment and consider adopting an ordinance rezoning two parcels of property at 25 G Street from Residential RMF-35 to Resi-dential R-O.
ACTION: Councilmember Jolley moved and Councilmember Thompson seconded to close the public hearing, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Thompson moved and Councilmember Rogan seconded to adopt Ordinance 28 of 1998, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Rogan said the petitioner worked closely with the Greater Avenues Community Council on this complex issue.
(P 98-33)
#2. RE: Accept public comment and consider adopting an ordinance closing a portion of Lucy Avenue located between 400 West and Interstate 15, pursuant to Petition No. 400-97-29.
ACTION: Councilmember K. Christensen moved and Councilmember C. Christensen seconded to close the public hearing, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember K. Christensen moved and Councilmember Jolley seconded to adopt Ordinance 29 of 1998, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
(P 98-34)
#3. RE: Accept public comment and consider adopting an ordinance amending the Salt Lake City Zoning Code regarding accessory lots and accessory uses on accessory lots.
ACTION: Councilmember Jolley moved and Councilmember Thompson seconded to close the public hearing, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
Councilmember Jolley moved and Councilmember Thompson seconded to adopt Ordinance 30 of 1998, which motion carried, all members voted aye.
DISCUSSION: Councilmember Thompson said this amendment would deal with properties which were not combined into one parcel and would allow a rational placing of things on accessory lots.
Councilmember Jolley said this issue had been on-going for a couple of years. He said he appreciated those who had worked at it and finally got it done.
Councilmember Rogan thanked the Administration for the way the matter was handled and particularly working with the Community Council Chairs.
(P 98-35)
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.