The City Council met in Work Session on Thursday, August 13, 2015, at 5:11 p.m. in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State Street.
In Attendance: Council Members James Rogers, Erin Mendenhall, Charlie Luke, Kyle LaMalfa, Lisa Adams and Stan Penfold.
Absent: Councilmember Luke Garrott.
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council Director; Jennifer Bruno, Executive Council Deputy Director; David Everitt, Mayor’s Chief of Staff; Margaret Plane, City Attorney; Nichol Bourdeaux, Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff; Russell Weeks, Council Senior Policy Analyst; Lehua Weaver, Council Senior Public Policy Analyst; Libby Stockstill, Council Constituent Liaison/Budget Analyst; Kory Solorio, Assistant City Recorder; and Nicole Smedley, Assistant City Recorder.
Councilmember Rogers presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 5:11 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. 5:12:49 PM HOLD A FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION ABOUT OPTIONS FOR A PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE BOND PROPOSAL. If approved by voters, the potential bond would result in a property tax increase for residents and property owners and would be used to pay for more outdoor recreational opportunities in the City – including converting some current open spaces into new uses, adding trail improvements and connections, and other opportunities. The Council will vote on August 18 to determine if the bond will be placed on the November ballot. View Attachment
Jennifer Bruno, Lehua Weaver, Libby Stockstill, and David Everitt briefed Council with attachments. Ms. Weaver reviewed the definition of Natural Lands Restoration ranging from naturalization to ecological restoration.
Councilmember Mendenhall proposed a streamlined bond package of $99.8 million. Council Member’s discussion included property tax increase amounts, $3.1 million of ongoing maintenance costs annually, future property tax increase for ongoing maintenance costs, transit tax funds for trail connectivity, meeting residents’ recreation needs, re-funding park maintenance that was cut six years ago, other funding options (grants, partnerships and donations), presenting the public with a full bond package, extending the bond timeframe, and unifying Salt Lake City through recreation.
A 4-2 straw poll was taken for support of Councilmember Mendenhall’s $99.8 million bond proposal, with Council Members Mendenhall, Penfold, Rogers, and LaMalfa voting in favor; Council Members Adams and Luke were opposed. Councilmember Garrott was absent for the vote.
#2. 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, including but not limited to:
•Scheduling Items
•Utah League of Cities and Towns Annual Conference
•Boulder Fact Finding Trip
See File M 15-5 for Announcements.
#3. REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
No discussion was held.
#4. CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE §52-4-205 FOR ANY ALLOWED PURPOSE.
Item not held.
The meeting adjourned at 6:01 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 August 13, 2015.
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