The City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in Formal Session on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 in an electronic meeting pursuant to Salt Lake City Emergency Proclamation No. 2 of 2020 (2)(b).
The following Council Members participated in the meeting:
Chris Wharton Analia Valdemoros James Rogers
Amy Fowler Andrew Johnston Daniel Dugan
Darin Mano
Cindy Gust-Jenson, Council Executive Director; Jennifer Bruno, Council Executive Deputy Director; Erin Mendenhall, Mayor; Rachel Otto, Mayor’s Chief of Staff; Robert Nutzman, Council Administrative Assistant; Amanda Lau, Public Engagement & Communications Specialist; Katherine Lewis, City Attorney; Cindy Lou Trishman, City Recorder; and DeeDee Robinson, Deputy City Recorder participated electronically.
Councilmember Wharton presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. 7:04:56 PM
OPENING CEREMONY
#1. 7:05:20 PM Pledge of Allegiance (A moment of silence was held while the American Flag/Anthem was displayed on the video screen)
#2. 7:06:08 PM Welcome and Review of Standards of Conduct.
#3. 7:15:18 PM Councilmember Rogers moved and Councilmember Fowler seconded to approve the Formal Meeting minutes of Tuesday, May 5, 2020, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call). View Minutes
(M 20-3)
Note: Comments/materials submitted to the City Council have been attached as part of the official record. Click here to view: https://www.slc.gov/council/virtual-meeting-comments/
COMMENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL 7:18:09 PM
The following spoke about issues relating to the City’s Police Department/budget: Emily Alworth, Ann Charles, Amy Hartman, Devin Lindley, Kevin Kruse, James Porter, Eric Sheffield, Gunar Cottle, Sonja Nitschke, Maeve Wall, Gabby Lemanski, Jamie Loewen, Sam Johnston, Scout Cohen-Pope, Alli Matyja, Mel Martinez, Morgan Mickles, Ellie Smith, Amy Burrows, Angela Charles, Erin Moore, Ashley Engeler, Evelyn Houpt, Jackie May, Jennifer Magana, Natalie Christensen, Josh Kivlovitz, Brandon Ngo, Jake Lyman, Summer Vazquez, Molli Guthrie, Goldin Fillmore, Emmett Wilson, Yohanes Frezgi, Zachary Bartholomew, Chantel Cook and Emma Roberts. Comments included: support for defunding the Police Department/cutting budget by $30 million, Mayor/Council not doing enough, ensuring Police officers pay for their own court settlements, prosecute officers for mistreatment of people, Council being in a position to make substantive change for unrepresented individuals, community policing not being effective (means to disenfranchise people), money needed to build a more just/sustainable City, Council being complicit in the system of oppression, more investment needed for citizens/communities (education, healthcare, homelessness, mental health, etc.), Police unions wielding too much power, listen/learn from minority populations first, body cams/tasers being expensive and ineffective, support for a commission on racial equity & policing, Police Chief Brown being biased/not fit to run department, allocate more funding to people of color/marginalized communities, redefining public safety as a whole, invest in educating the public on the proper use of 911, people experiencing grief over death from Police violence, increased community oversight (transparency to community), and Police being a dangerous/toxic force in the community.
Jared Johnson, Cynthia Farnam-Stella, and David Jenson expressed concerns with defunding the Police. Comments included: lowered response times, not having necessary equipment, Police already overwhelmed, safety concerns, and more training/body cameras being needed.
7:36:46 PM Dave Iltis said he was opposed to the appointment of Senator Karen Mayne for the Airport Advisory Board (not acting in the best interest of the City). He encouraged the Council to re-name the police department to “Peace Department” (changing the focus to peace rather than police), and approve budget/funding for maintenance of multi-modal infrastructure (fix green bike lanes/other bike infrastructure).
7:38:48 PM Jackson Colavecchia expressed concerns regarding the general political trends in the United States, and how that related to the culture/implications of the Salt Lake City Police Department.
7:42:08 PM George Chapman said hiring should continue for minorities and women in the Police force (not enough of either), more body cams were needed, require POST certified officers to testify on critical incidents, Liberty Park users wanting police patrolling the park, community councils wanting more police/walking patrols (discouraging illegal activity), and utilizing Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) funding to house homeless (like other cities).
7:48:04 PM Lisa Hazel said she was opposed to the appointment of Karen Mayne to the Airport Advisory Board (she did not have Salt Lake City in mind), and agreed with renaming the police department to “Peace Department” (definition alone would deter officers from shooting people).
8:24:31 PM Tammy Rasmussen applauded the Council for increasing funding for the Police Department and said the public had responded emotionally/knee-jerk before researching.
8:37:18 PM Savannah Lavenstein said she worked with doctors/nurses who came into frequent contact with dangerous/armed persons in the emergency room, and whom were trained in de-escalation before training in restraining (physical/chemical), proving it could be handled without harming/killing people.
8:39:25 PM Karen Montano said she was a social worker for the Police Department and appreciated the support of officers she worked with. She urged the City not to use social workers as a blanket for community issues, and making serious changes to support communities of color (overall health and wellbeing).
9:00:40 PM Emily (no last name) said the Council was not respecting the community (policing language during Council meetings) and were ignoring/mischaracterizing a broad coalition of well-informed/passionate citizens.
QUESTIONS TO THE MAYOR FROM THE CITY COUNCIL
There were no questions.
POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS
9:09:58 PM Note: Ordinances listed below (1-11) were associated with the implementation of the Mayor’s Recommended Budget for Salt Lake City, including the Library Fund, for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021. View Overall Motion Sheet
#1. Adopting an ordinance appropriating necessary funds to implement, for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Salt Lake City Corporation and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1004, representing eligible employees. View Attachment
Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 18 of 2020, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(O 20-9)
#2. Adopting an ordinance approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Salt Lake City Corporation and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1004, representing eligible employees pursuant to the Collective Bargaining and Employee Representation Joint Resolution dated March 22, 2011, which shall become effective on proper ratification and signature. View Attachment
(O 20-9)
Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 19 of 2020, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(O 20-9)
#3. Adopting an ordinance appropriating the necessary funds to implement, for Fiscal Year 2020-21, the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Salt Lake City Corporation and the International Association of Firefighters Local 81, representing eligible employees. View Attachment
Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 20 of 2020, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(O 18-9)
#4. Adopting an ordinance approving a compensation plan for all non-represented employees of Salt Lake City. View Attachment
Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 21 of 2020, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(O 20-10)
#5. Adopting an ordinance appropriating necessary funds to implement, for Fiscal Year 2020-21, the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Salt Lake City Corporation and the Salt Lake Police Association, representing eligible employees. View Attachment
Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 22 of 2020, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(O 17-7)
#6. Adopting an ordinance approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake City Police Association, representing eligible employees for Fiscal Year 2020-21. View Attachment
Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 23 of 2020, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(O 17-7)
#7. Approving an ordinance adopting the rate of tax levy, including the levy for the Library Fund, upon all real and personal property within Salt Lake City made taxable by law for Fiscal Year 2020-21. View Attachment
Motion 3: Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 24 of 2020, setting the final rate of tax levy, including the final levy for the Library Fund, upon all real and personal property within Salt Lake City, made taxable by law for Fiscal Year 2020-21 as listed on the motion sheet, and authorize the Council Chair to sign the necessary documentation for the State Tax Commission.
A tax of .004623 on each dollar of taxable valuation of which:
a) .002942 shall be credited as revenue in the General Fund, generating $87,457,430 of on-going revenue; and
b) .000015 shall be credited to the judgment levy for the General Fund, a one-year adjustment generating $456,267 of one-time revenue; and
c) .000713 shall be credited toward repayment of General Obligation Bonds, generating $21,196,660 of on-going revenue; and
d) .000680 shall be credited as revenue in the special Library Fund, generating $20,651,134 of on-going revenue; and
e) .000003 shall be credited to the judgment levy for the Library Fund, a one-year adjustment generating $87,748 of one-time revenue, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(B 20-1)(B 20-2)
#8. Approving an ordinance adopting the budget for the Library Fund of Salt Lake City, Utah for Fiscal Year 2020-21. View Attachment
Motion 2:
Councilmember Johnston moved
and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance
25 of 2020, approving the budget for the Library Fund of Salt
Lake City for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, which motion carried, all members voted
aye (roll call).
(B 20-2)
#9. Approving an ordinance amending various fees and fee information set forth in the Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule (CFS). View Attachment
Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 26 of 2020, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(O 17-3)
#10. Approving an ordinance adopting the budget for Salt Lake City, Utah, excluding the budget for the Library Fund which is separately adopted, and the employment staffing document of Salt Lake City, Utah for Fiscal Year 2020-21. View Attachment
Motion 1: Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 27 of 2020, approving Salt Lake City’s Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget as outlined in the attached key changes spreadsheets and staffing document, excluding the schedule for capital projects and debt and the Library Fund, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(B 20-1)
Motion 4: Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt $30,895,400 to be transferred into Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including approving $13,064,760 in funding for annual debt service, as detailed in the Mayor’s Recommended CIP Budget, and with the understanding that funding for CIP projects will be considered separately later this year, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
Motion 5: Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt the Legislative Intent Statements as outlined on the motion sheet under Motion 5, Items A through O, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
a. Police Department Role - It is the intent of the Council to re-evaluate the role the City asks the Police Department to play, and the budget to fulfill that role, and ask the Administration to evaluate moving certain programs out of the Police Department, like park rangers and social workers, and potentially add a function to the Human Resources Department to enhance the independence of the Internal Affairs unit.
b. Police Department Zero-based Budget Exercise - It is the intent of the Council to hire an independent auditor to evaluate each line item in the Police Department budget with the goal of conducting a zero-based budget exercise, which takes the budget apart and builds it back in a way that aligns with the policy goals of the Council, Mayor and public. A report back to the Council would happen in September, or sooner if possible.
c. CARES Act Funding - The Council intends to use forthcoming CARES act funding to prioritize the community needs consistent with the equity principles being discussed.
d. Ban Military Equipment - The Council intends to work with the Attorney’s Office to create an ordinance that prohibits the City from accepting grant awards for federal military equipment. The ordinance may include any foreseeable exceptions for the Council’s consideration.
e. Police Department Reporting Ordinance - The Council intends to work with the Attorney’s Office to create an ordinance that establishes reporting requirements for internal information collected by and related to the Police Department.
f. Tuition Reimbursement and Police Officer Education - It is the intent of the Council to encourage the Administration to assure that the City’s tuition reimbursement program is accessible to Police Department staff members and that the Police Department has a system to provide the flexibility necessary for staff to seek degrees, particularly in fields that relate to public safety, human relations, communications, community building, criminal justice, psychology and other areas that add value to their work. Further, the Council encourages the Administration to include strong advanced education requirements in their promotion and hiring process.
g. CIP and County Transportation Funds - It is the intent of the Council that future years Quarter-Cent County Transportation Funds go through a process that involves community input and considers other CIP needs, potentially combined with a redefined CIP process.
h. Communicating Impact of Budget Reductions - It is the intent of the Council that the Administration return with a communication strategy to inform the public about the likelihood of reduced service levels in City parks and public lands due to budget reductions.
i. Golf CIP Fund Plan - It is the intent of the Council that the Administration clarify the long-term plan for the Golf Enterprise Fund’s CIP fund.
j. Historic Park Design Guidelines - It is the intent of the Council that a briefing with the Administration be scheduled in order to discuss the steps and funding necessary to create design guidelines for the City's historic parks. Next steps would be identified pending the briefing discussion.
k. 4th Avenue Well Noise Reduction - It is the intent of the Council that the Department of Public Utilities continues to consider additional noise-reducing options for the new 4th Avenue Well project.
l. Fund Balance Floor Goal - The Council intends to continue the legislative intent from last year setting a minimum fund balance “floor” at 14%.
m. Transfer Housing Trust Fund Development Loans and Payments - The Council intends to transfer the Housing Trust Fund’s housing development-loan-related balances and payments to be overseen by the RDA. During FY20, HAND and the RDA developed a detailed “housing framework” for consideration by the RDA Board and the Council. These bodies may wish to schedule time once the FY21 budget is complete to finalize this work, which may include changes to City ordinances and/or board policies.
n. Calculate RDA Legislation Impacts - It is the intent of the Council that the Finance Department and the RDA work together to calculate the impact on City resources of changes proposed in 2019 and 2020 to State RDA legislation.
o. Decriminalization Review of City Code - It is the intent of the Council that an in-depth review be conducted of the City Code to consider items that could be de-criminalized. Council staff could work with Council Members and the City Attorney’s Office to draft a scope and come back with a report on the timeline.
#11. Adopting an ordinance that would facilitate the uniform regulation of Enterprise Funds payments in lieu of taxes. View Attachment
Councilmember Johnston moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to adopt Ordinance 28 of 2020, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(O 20-8)
9:14:15 PM Council Members Mano, Valdemoros, Dugan, Fowler, Wharton, and Johnston made statements regarding racial equality, justice reform, understanding frustrations, and continuing to work with/communicate with the community.
9:26:12 PM Councilmember Fowler moved and Councilmember Dugan seconded that the Council schedule a budget amendment for September to consider any additional budget adjustments that would be identified through the preliminary work of the Racial Equity & Policing Commission and through the zero-based budgeting, and for Council Staff to report back at the next Council meeting regarding the efforts other communities are making and what they are doing to address implicit bias and systematic racism, particularly as it relates to the budget, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
NEW BUSINESS
#1. 9:29:33 PM Approving the appointment of Lorna Vogt as the Salt Lake City Director of Public Services. View Attachment
Councilmember Fowler moved and Councilmember Rogers seconded to approve the appointment, which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
(I 20-18)
CONSENT 9:31:03 PM
Councilmember Fowler moved and Councilmember Mano seconded to approve the Consent Agenda with the exception of Item 2 (to be considered at a later date), which motion carried, all members voted aye (roll call).
#1. Confirming the date of Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. to accept public comment regarding a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of not more than $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Public Utilities revenue bonds, series 2020, related to water, sewer, and storm water capital improvements. The Council's action includes authorizing the execution of a supplemental indenture, a bond purchase agreement, and other documents as required. View Attachment
(Q 20-1)
#2. Approving the reappointment of Senator Karen Mayne to the Airport Advisory Board for a term ending December 25, 2023. View Attachment
(I 20-19)
#3. Approving the appointment of Van Turner to the Mosquito Abatement District Board for a term ending December 31, 2024. This is a Council-appointed position, therefore an Administrative Recommendation letter is not included.
(I 20-3)
#4. Approving the appointment of Ashley Cleveland to the Human Rights Commission for a term ending December 26, 2022. View Attachment
(I 20-20)
The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.
This document is not intended to serve as a full transcript as additional discussion may have been held; please refer to the audio or video for entire content pursuant to Utah Code §52-4-203(2)(b).
This document along with the digital recording constitute the official minutes of the Salt Lake City Formal Session held June 16, 2020.
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