The City Council met in Work Session on Thursday, August 15, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 315, Council Chambers, City County Building, 451 South State Street.
In Attendance: Council Members Carlton Christensen, Kyle LaMalfa, Luke Garrott, Jill Remington Love, and Charlie Luke.
Excused: Stan Penfold and Søren Simonsen
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council Director; Jennifer Bruno, Executive Council Deputy Director; David Everitt, Mayor’s Chief of Staff; Janice Jardine, Council Policy Analyst; Lehua Weaver, Council Research/Policy Analyst; Nick Tarbet, Council Policy Analyst; Amber McClellan, Council Liaison; Margaret Plane, City Attorney; Gina Chamness, Budget Director; Rick Graham, Public Services Director; Todd Reese, Parks and Public Lands Director; Wilford Sommerkorn, Planning Director; Nick Norris, Planning Manager; John Anderson, Principal Planner; Ann Ober, Administrative Services Director; and Cindi Mansell, City Recorder.
Also in Attendance: Susi Petheram - CRSA, Inc. Consulting
Councilmember LaMalfa presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. 7:07:45 PM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP). Receive a written briefing relating to the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Capital improvements involve the construction, purchase or renovation of buildings, parks, streets, or other physical structures. Generally, projects have a useful life of five or more years and cost $50,000 or more. View Attachments
Written Briefing Only. Chair LaMalfa briefly explained the updated CIP spreadsheet information.
#2. 7:11:13 PM CEMETERY AMENDMENTS. Receive a briefing regarding proposed changes to the City’s Cemeteries ordinance. The proposal would update headstone restrictions and policies, establish a disclaimer for vases and flower receptacles placed at ground level in the maintenance path, and eliminate the prohibition on bicycles and motorcycles, among other changes. View Attachments
Rick Graham and Todd Reese briefed the Council from attachments. Mr. Reese stated proposed changes were intended to improve management of the City Cemetery by taking a number of miscellaneous rules, guidelines, and practices to provide a formal document as a provision for enforcement. He clarified the new regulations would not apply to anything existing, but would for the future unless waived by the Mayor.
Discussion followed regarding whether or not headstones would have to be flat, if raised headstones would be prohibited, height and placement regulations to provide for increased maintenance efficiency, and resident versus non-resident costs. Concern was expressed as to clarity regarding responsibility for maintenance of raised headstones. Mr. Graham clarified the City had long-term responsibility; soils and ground would change over time, but maintenance of headstones was the responsibility of the property owner and not a routine service provided by the City.
#3. 7:29:39 PM OPEN SPACE LAND PROGRAM AMENDMENTS. Receive a briefing regarding a proposal that would add exceptions to the procedures for removing lands from the Open Space Lands Program. Currently, the leasing of any building, infrastructure or facility residing on property zoned as Open Space was considered “removal of land” and must go through a public process. The exceptions in the proposal include: View Attachments
• Leasing of existing buildings, infrastructure or facilities.
• Special events of free expression activities lasting fewer than 21 days.
• Recreation areas that are being leased in accordance with their intended use.
Janice Jardine, Ann Ober, and Rick Graham briefed the Council from attachments regarding a proposal that would add specific exemptions to the procedures for removing lands from the Open Space Lands Program. Inquiry was raised as to whether the exemption would apply to existing or new uses. Ms. Ober said it would apply to those currently existing in open space; she said new infrastructure would not be allowed without going through this process.
There appeared to be Council consensus to move this item forward to the next agenda.
#4. 7:36:10 PM 9 LINE CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN PROCESS. Receive a briefing regarding the 9 Line Corridor Master Plan, which will create a framework for future development of the 9 Line Trail and property along the corridor. The project area consists of the east / west corridor from 900 South and Hayes Avenue between 200 West to the Surplus Canal (approximately 1915 West) including the 9 Line Trail (former railroad line) and a section of the Jordan River Parkway. The briefing will outline the project scope of work, timeline and public engagement process. The Plan would: View Attachments
• Create a vision statement, guiding principles and policies for the corridor.
• Establish a multi-use plan addressing trails, open space, transportation options, urban design and streetscape elements, and connections between the corridor and the community.
• Identify tools and action steps for implementing the recommendations in the Plan.
Nick Norris, John Anderson, and Janice Jardine briefed the Council from attachments. Mr. Anderson briefly described the project area, objectives, process underway using the new master plan process model, and the proposed resolution approving project goals, outcomes, and timeline for the Plan. He said the primary goal of this plan was to help bridge the gap between neighborhoods west and east of I-15 and create an east to west transportation link from west Salt Lake neighborhoods to fixed transit at the 900 South TRAX Station.
Inquiry was raised as to other corridors (Pratt and Transvalley), public outreach, and coordination with the RDA. Mr. Norris discussed different and innovative ways used to engage people and active users; he said the RDA sits on the Steering Committee and have been involved. Councilmember Love suggested public engagement signs along the line that propose intriguing questions. Susi Petheram, Consultant, said the 9 Line logo/branding debuted at the beginning of May and the hope was for these signs on vacant lots to be easily recognizable. She further discussed amenities and feedback of what people wanted to see along the trails with the intent to draw out more specific information.
#5. 7:59:41 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 13-5 for Announcements.
#6. REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
Item not held.
#7. (TENTATIVE) CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE § 52-4-204, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT MATTERS THAT ARE PRIVILEGED PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE §78B-1-137.
Item not held.
The meeting adjourned at 8:09 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 15, 2013.
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