The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State Street.
In Attendance: Council Members Lisa Adams, Erin Mendenhall, Stan Penfold, James Rogers, Luke Garrott, Charlie Luke, and Kyle LaMalfa.
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council Director; Jennifer Bruno, Executive Council Deputy Director; Nichol Bourdeaux, Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff; Margaret Plane, City Attorney; Russell Weeks, Senior Policy Analyst; Lynn Pace, Mayor’s Senior Advisor; Sean Murphy, Public Policy Analyst; Nick Tarbet, Council Policy Analyst; Lehua Weaver, Council Policy Analyst; Jill Love, Community and Economic Development Director; Mike Akerlow, Housing and Neighborhood Development Director; Tammy Hunsaker, Housing and Neighborhood Development Community Development Program Administrator; Amber McClellan, Council Policy Analyst; Libby Stocksill, Council Constituent Liaison; John Spears, Library Executive Director; Jace Bunting, Library Manager of Finance; Emilie Charles, Library Board Chair; Jeff Niermeyer, Public Utilities Director; Tom Ward, Public Utilities Deputy Director; Jim Lewis, Public Utilities Finance Administrator; David Koltz, Public Utilities Engineer; Nick Norris, Planning Manager; Wayne Mills, Senior Planner; and Nicole Smedley, Assistant City Recorder.
Guests in Attendance: Paul S. Ryan, Campaign Legal Center.
Councilmember Garrott presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. RECEIVE A WRITTEN BRIEFING ABOUT PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FEE SCHEDULE, TO CODIFY FEES FOR RESIDENTIAL TRANSIT PASS (HIVE PASS). This ordinance is a housekeeping item and codifies fees for the continuation of the HIVE transit pass program as approved by the Council in Budget Amendment #3 of Fiscal Year 2014- 15.(Item H2)
Written briefing/no discussion was held.
#2. RECEIVE A BRIEFING FROM PAUL S. RYAN OF THE CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER ABOUT CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. As part of the presentation, the Council may discuss the pros and cons of enacting campaign finance reform. View Attachments
Sean Murphy and Paul S. Ryan briefed Council with attachments. Mr. Ryan said there are two types of contribution limits; amount limits and source restrictions. He said the City had amount limits currently and understood some would like them lowered. He said the City does not currently have source restrictions, but he knew there was advocacy for prohibiting contributions from Incorporated Entities, both For-Profit and Non-Profit.
Discussion followed regarding public campaign financing; transparency being good policy; setting amount limits; avoiding unconstitutionally low limits; cost of living clause; personal financial contributions being a First Amendment right; preventing corruption; enforcement; viability of campaigns; considering campaign costs; and researching Salt Lake City contributions and expenditures over the past decade.
Straw Poll:
•Support to move forward by outsourcing research. All Council Members were in support.
#3. 1:59:59 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING AND DISCUSS THE FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND ONE-YEAR ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) AND OTHER FEDERAL GRANTS. The Council will continue to discuss the Mayor’s funding recommendations and an appropriation resolution adopting the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and the One-Year Annual Action Plan for 2015-2016, which allocates Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds to projects that benefit the residents of Salt Lake City. The plan includes Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, HOME Investment Partnership Program funding, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funding, for Fiscal Year 2015-16 and approving an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between Salt Lake City and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (Item D2) View Attachments
Sean Murphy, Mike Akerlow, and Tammy Hunsaker briefed Council with attachments. Mr. Murphy said this was the opportunity for Council to discuss proposals for funding that are not already recommended. He said the HOME budget has an additional $3,425 to allocate.
Councilmember LaMalfa suggested funds be removed from Jordan Park Gateway, 961/962 Montague Street; and half Jordan Park Playground Replacement go to 1300 South Creek Confluence at Jordan River. He asked for the remaining balance from Jordan Park Playground Replacement go to Redwood Meadows. He said the changes were requested to follow the West Side Master Plan.
Straw poll:
•Support to remove funds from Jordan Park Gateway 961/962 Montague Street ($22,900) and half Jordan Park Playground Replacement ($60,500) to go to 1300 South Creek Confluence at Jordan River and remaining balances from Jordan Park Playground Replacement ($60,500) go to Redwood Meadows. Councilmember Rogers abstained; all other Council Members were in support.
Councilmember LaMalfa requested the Community Development Corporation of Utah Down Payment Assistance Program funds go to the Community Development Corporation of Utah Developer Subsidy Housing program.
Discussion followed regarding development of 16 single-family attached housing units; mixed income suggestions; 51% income restricted and 49% market rate; affordable housing; and the Community Development Corporation of Utah Down Payment Assistance Program being the only one in the City.
Straw poll:
•Support to remove funds ($75,000) out of the Community Development Corporation of Utah Down Payment Assistance Program to go into the Community Development Corporation of Utah Developer Subsidy Housing Program. Council Members Rogers, Garrott, and LaMalfa were in support. Council Members Adams, Mendenhall, Penfold, and Luke were not. The motion failed 3-4.
Straw Poll:
•Support for $3,425 into Salt Lake Housing & Neighborhood Development. Councilmember Mendenhall abstained; all other Council Members were in support.
Councilmember Penfold requested future CDBG briefings highlight cross over with Capital Improvement Project funding/Impact Fee Schedule. He expressed concern that applicants need to complete multiple applications to find the best funding source.
#4. 2:33:17 PM RECEIVE A BERIFING AND HOLD A FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION ON THE ACTION STEPS FOR THE FOLLOWING 2015 PRIORITY PROJECTS:
The priorities are: View Attachments
•funding for the goals and projects in the West Salt Lake Master Plan, and developing an implementation model that can be used for future master plans;
•follow-up discussion about housing policy;
•review and assignment of active projects; and
•(tentative) initiative to explore a possible bond on the November ballot that would fund open space and outdoor recreation needs in the City.
The following Council priorities are ongoing:
•capital improvement program process and funding options;
•economic development efforts in the City;
•rebuilding the City’s urban forest; and
•updating impact fees.
Jennifer Bruno, Nick Tarbet, Lehua Weaver and Jill Love briefed Council with attachments. Mr. Tarbet said staff had reviewed the entire Westside Master Plan project list and indentified funding resources for all projects. He said they are building a template/model for future Master Plan implementation. Discussion followed regarding funding potential with a G.O. Bond; Special Assessment Area/Community Development Area/Redevelopment Agency funding; Impact Fee Schedule; Merging funding with planning; evaluating costs before adoption; paying a Sales Tax Revenue Bond out of the General Fund; appropriate funding for particular projects; evaluate/prioritize funding mechanisms for implementation; infrastructure maintenance funding; objections to Capital Improvement Project Bond funding; annual progress reporting; estimating project costs; engineering lacking staff resources to estimate project costs due to Google fiber implementation.
Jill Love, Community and Economic Development Director, said the intent was to lead implementation from Community and Economic Development with a cross departmental/team approach involving Council Staff and Council Members.
Council asked administration for an accounting of land owned by the City on the Westside and to report back at a future meeting.
Straw Poll:
•Council support for additional funds from the Council Office Budget to bring on supplemental engineering resources to estimate project costs. All Council Members were in support.
Ms. Weaver said housing is on the active project list, and staff has requested Council straw poll for a level of priority. Discussion followed regarding a future briefing; processing housing ordinance changes; drafting a policy statement/resolution; reviewing City Zoning Ordinances; City Loan Program; mixed-income developments; and housing as a time sensitive project.
Straw Poll:
•Council support to include housing as one of the top ten priorities on the active project list. All Council Members were in support.
Discussion followed regarding top priority projects.
Straw Poll:
Council support for the top ten priorities on the active list as; housing; campaign finance reform; dogs off leash; parking; prison relocation; accessible dwelling units; sexual assault follow up/audit of the Justice System; County partnership for homelessness; disposition of property process/status; and Police use of lethal force. All Council Members were in support.
Ms. Weaver said the remaining items on the Active Project List were now considered inactive.
#5. 3:48:11 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING AND HOLD A DISCUSSION ON BUDGET ITEMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015-2016. The Council will receive a briefing on items
related to the proposed Fiscal Year 2015-2016 annual budget. The briefings include budget proposals for departments, separate funds, and other budget related items.
a. Library
Library Board’s recommended Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16. View Attachments
b. Public Utilities
Mayor’s recommended budget relating to the Department of Public Utilities, including the Street lighting, water, storm and sewer utility funds, for Fiscal Year 2015-16. View Attachments
Russell Weeks, John Spears, Jace Bunting, and Emilie Charles briefed Council with attachments. Mr. Spears said the priorities in the 2015-2016 FY budget include a 2% salary increase for staff; adequate staffing; building maintenance; capital projects; electronic materials; grant writing training; and debt service funds transfer for the Glendale and Marmalade branches. Discussion followed, ideas included significant capital needs at the Chapman Branch; aging facilities; possible property tax increase next year; membership numbers down due to purging the system of inactive users; security personnel; case workers from Volunteers of America present daily at the main branch; 24/7 timeline; Strategic Planning Library Service Model Team; innovation such as the addition of a digital media studio and downloadable/streaming content availability.
4:32:25 PM Lehua Weaver, Jeff Niermeyer, Tom Ward, and Jim Lewis briefed Council with attachments/Power Point Presentation. Mr. Niermeyer reviewed major impacts of the proposed budget; 37% revenue appropriated to Capital Projects/Improvements; reclassify Water Resource Manager to a second Deputy Director position; and Waste Water Treatment Plant to achieve phosphorus limits by 2020.
Council inquired as to the affect the prison location would have on the budget. Mr. Niermeyer said he has accounted for growth of 4,000-5,000 additional contributors in the Northwest quadrant of the City. Discussion followed, ideas included water fees in property taxes being for the Metropolitan Water District (not Salt Lake City); current rate payers funding future developments; future users paying through Impact Fees; future implementation of the Nitrogen rule; building to the future; local pollution limits; updating the existing structure; implementation of new technology; high efficient lighting; lower fuel usage; energy efficiency; in house pipe-cleaning being cost effective; 20-year bonds; consultant studies; future sewer rate increase; water conservation; water line improvements/replacements; coordination within departments on projects that require conduit/Google fiber; multiple sewer project on the west side; equitable distribution of street lighting; positive employee moral; and newly implemented work order system. Council expressed desire to re-evaluate funding for curb/gutter/sidewalk repair at a future meeting.
#6. RECEIVE A BRIEFING ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY’S WASTEWATER POLLUTANT STANDARDS. Under the proposal, the maximum limits, known
as Local Limits, for a number of pollutants per liter of wastewater would be changed. View Attachments
Item not held.
#7. RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING ON PLAN SALT LAKE, A CITYWIDE MASTER PLAN DESIGNED TO CREATE HIGH LEVEL POLICIES AND VISION THAT WILL GUIDE THE COMMUNITY FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. (PETITION NO. PLNPCM2011-00682) View Attachments
Item not held.
#8. 5:42:31 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING ON A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR A PROPERTY OWNER TO SATISFY CONDITIONS IN A 2006 ORDINANCE THAT DETAILED AN ANNEXATION PROCESS. The property consists of about 406 acres in the vicinity of 2982 East Benchmark Drive, referred to as Parley’s Pointe. The deadline extension would give the property owner an additional three years to satisfy the conditions of the ordinance. If granted, this would be the third deadline extension the City has granted. (Petition No. 400-05-41) View Attachments
Nick Tarbet, Lynn Pace and Wayne Mills briefed Council with attachments. Council inquired if any City/County zoning ordinances have changed that would affect the proposed annexation. Mr. Pace said there was not. Discussion followed regarding conditions; history of events; new road/traffic increase; and a timeframe of completion. Council expressed concern restarting the public process.
#9 6:04:00 PM REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INCLUDING A REVIEW OF COUNCIL INFORMATION ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. The Council may give feedback or staff direction on any item related to City Council business.
See file M 15-5 for announcements.
#10. REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
No discussion was held.
#11. CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE §52-4-205, FOR ANY ALLOWED PURPOSE.
Councilmember Penfold moved and Councilmember Luke seconded to enter into Closed Session to discuss strategy sessions to discuss the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property, including any form of a water right or water shares, if public discussion of the transaction would: (i) disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the property under consideration; or (ii) prevent the public body from completing the transaction on the best possible terms Utah Code §52-4-205(1)(d), Utah Open and Public Meetings Law. A roll call vote was taken. All Council Members voted aye. See File M 15-2 for Sworn Statement.
In Attendance: Council Members Lisa Adams, Erin Mendenhall, Stan Penfold, James Rogers, Luke Garrott, Charlie Luke, and Kyle LaMalfa.
Others in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Jennifer Bruno, Margaret Plane, Nichol Bourdeaux, Mary De LaMare-Schaefer, James Rich, Mike Ackerlow, Jill Love, and Nicole Smedley.
The Closed Session adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
This document is not intended to serve as a full transcript as other items may have been discussed; please refer to the audio or video for entire content.
This document along with the digital recording constitute the official minutes
of the City Council Work Session meeting held April 28, 2015.
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