The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State Street.
In Attendance: Council Members Luke Garrott, James Rogers, Erin Mendenhall, Lisa Adams, Charlie Luke, and Kyle LaMalfa.
Absent: Councilmember Stan Penfold.
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council Director; Jennifer Bruno, Council Deputy Director; Margaret Plane, City Attorney; Russell Weeks, Council Senior Policy Analyst; Ben Luedtke, Council Liaison/Policy Analyst; Lisa Shaffer, Administrative Services Division Director; Boyd Ferguson, Senior City Attorney; Christina Judd, Special Events Permits Manager; Allison Rowland, Council Policy Analyst; Tamra Turpin, Risk Manager; Elizabeth Buehler, Housing and Neighborhood Development Outreach Programs Administrator; Mary DeLaMare-Schaefer, Acting CED Director; Jill Love, Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff; Sean Murphy, Council Public Policy Analyst; Cindi Mansell; City Recorder and Nicole Smedley; Assistant City Recorder.
Guests in Attendance: Rick Bennion, Citizen Task Force Chair; Brian Hulse, Finance and Business Attorney; Tim Cooley, University of Utah; Ryan Cummings, Westminster College; Annalisa Holcombe, Westminster College Professor; Robin Haley, Project Manager/Matrix Consulting; Palmer DePaulis, Homeless Site Evaluation Commission Co-Chair; and Bill Evans, Homeless Site Evaluation Commission Facilitator.
Councilmember Garrott presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 2:20 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. 2:21:12 PM RECEIVE A WRITTEN BRIEFING ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY’S WASTEWATER POLLUTANT STANDARDS. The changes are designed to better protect City facilities, the public and the environment. Wastewater from residences and industries is collected and treated at the Water Reclamation Facility and pollutant levels are regularly sampled and evaluated. Under the proposal, the maximum limits, known as Local Limits, for a number of pollutants per liter of wastewater would be changed. View Attachments
A Straw Poll was taken to schedule a briefing for the February 3, 2015 Work session. All Council Members present were in favor.
The Council expressed concern regarding the alternative method referred to in Exhibit B of the written briefing proposing local limit changes. Comments included arsenic and biochemical oxygen demand levels; higher waste water system concentrations; safeguards being implemented; and sludge disposal program change.
#2. 2:27:58 PM HOLD A FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY’S SPECIAL EVENTS PERMITTING PROCESS. The proposal would make the City’s regulations more succinct; provide clarity about what constitutes small and large events; and creates a category for grandfathered events. The Council will also discuss insurance requirement options for special events, including a master City policy that would cover all events, or individual insurance policies event organizers would obtain on their own. View Attachments
Ben Luedtke, Lisa Shaffer, Boyd Ferguson, Christina Judd and Tamra Turpin briefed the Council from attachments.
Discussion included clarifying the length of parades; free expression activities; spontaneous demonstrations; and funds for instructional training/marketing materials. Inquiry was raised regarding whether the ordinance reduced the number of steps an event organizer had to make; duties of the Special Events Office and Event Review Committee; and potential to fund a liaison position.
Ms. Shaffer said they were looking at options for providing a liaison/ombudsman. She said the process required coordination of many departments throughout the City, and staff requested funding for a future liaison position. Ms. Judd said the new ordinance would make many applicants exempt from the process if there were under 500 participants. She said that the process was online and additional technology was being implemented/incorporated. She said the Event Review Committee, which had a member from each City department, met monthly to review applications and discuss upcoming events.
Inquiry was raised regarding the no insurance requirement for events under 500 people. Ms. Turpin said the City has Governmental Immunity protections and she is comfortable with the proposal.
Discussion followed regarding the necessity to expand the budget for more personnel as fewer applicants are now expected.
A Straw Poll was taken to support a liaison position in the Mayor’s New Budget. Council Members LaMalfa and Garrott were in support. Council Members Rogers, Adams, Mendenhall and Luke were opposed. Councilmember Penfold was absent.
A Straw Poll was conducted to receive an update on the streamlined process in nine months. All Council Members present were in favor.
Councilmember Garrott said a public hearing was scheduled on February 24, 2015 with possible action.
#3. 2:57:00 PM RECEIVE RECOMMENDATIONS DESIGNED TO ENSURE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF CITY GOLF COURSES FROM THE COUNCIL’S GOLF TASK FORCE, AND OUTSIDE CONSULTANT. The Task Force recommendations incorporate responses to the Council’s public “Call for Ideas” held in the fall of 2014. The Task Force developed the best of these ideas into a single comprehensive proposal for Council consideration. (Item H2)
Jennifer Bruno, Allison Rowland, Robin Haley, Rick Bennion, Tim Cooley, Brian Hulse, Margaret Plane, and Ryan Cummings briefed the Council with attachments.
Mr. Bennion, Citizen Task Force Chair, said that golf loses money and infrastructure was a disaster. He said if three golf courses were closed, problems would not be solved at the others. He said golf needed to be viewed as open space, selling other activities. He called for a reduction in Salt Lake City Golf Courses. He said a new leadership contract should be three years and come from the General Fund. He suggested dynamic pricing; a mobile app; incorporating technology; staffing/management alternatives; course branding; signage; efficiency in operations/maintenance; bonding for secondary water; and updating facilities. He said recommendation was to close WingPointe and for funding to be allocated from the General Fund for infrastructure.
Councilmember LaMalfa inquired about ideas from the public. Mr. Bennion said that an Arizona golf course in bankruptcy converted the golf shop into a gym. He said they sold memberships on a monthly basis and marketed them to the health industry. He discussed the need to utilize the assets golf courses already had and consider new, inventive ideas.
Mr. Hulse said to make sure the uses were compatible with natural habitat. Mr. Bennion suggested bike and hiking trails, picnic areas, and a dog park.
Councilmember Luke expressed concern that suggested uses were a nominal fee. He inquired as to whether there would be a cost benefit to privatizing club house operations. Mr. Hulse said there was an opportunity of public/private partnership. He said Mountain Dell had the possibility of weddings as a revenue source.
Councilmember Adams expressed concern about using General Fund revenue for golf course capital improvements and whether city code regarding budget would have to be changed. Ms. Plane said this was more of a policy decision and would not require an ordinance change.
Councilmember Rogers said he thought golf should be subsidized by the General Fund and asked what the legal process was to dissolve the Golf Enterprise Fund. Ms. Plane said she would research the question with Finance and return with information.
Mr. Cooley discussed establishing course identities; embracing technology with mobile apps; yield based pricing; flag, hole, and cart sponsorship; disk golf; reducing executives and golf pros and spreading them over multiple courses; outsourcing golf administration; and closing WingPointe.
Mr. Cummings said there was much competition in the Salt Lake area for golf; there were 74 competitors. He said that Mountain Dell needed a new clubhouse. He said golf was in decline across the nation, and courses need to update and innovate to survive. He said a comprehensive business plan was lacking. He discussed consolidating management and administrative teams; a comprehensive marketing plan including individual courses; social media being underutilized; finding alternate uses for golf courses such as disc and foot golf; migrating unprofitable courses to open land; and attracting a younger clientele.
Mr. Haley said there was significant capital funding expenditures necessary at all courses; including conversion to secondary water. He said that Glendale, WingPointe, and Rose Park are operating at a deficit.
Councilmember LaMalfa asked Mr. Haley to include the Energy Savings Company (ESCO) project at Glendale, Rose Park and Bonneville into the calculations.
Discussion followed regarding different operating models and funding options. Council asked Administration to assemble a list separating Council and Administrative actions.
A Straw Poll was taken to hold a public hearing on February 3, 2015. All Council Members present were in favor.
#4. 5:18:06 PM DISCUSS THE ADMINISTRATION’S 6-POINT STRATEGY FOR ADDRESSING THE COMPLEX ISSUES FACING THE PIONEER PARK/RIO GRANDE NEIGHBORHOOD. The plan focuses on:
•providing short term housing for high needs individuals to free up services for others;
•creating long-term supportive housing projects;
•evaluating services at both day and night shelters;
•improving public safety in the area; and
•enhancing community activities for both the homeless and non-homeless populations. View Attachments
Elizabeth Buehler, Mary DeLaMare-Schaefer, Sean Murphy and Jill Love briefed the Council with attachments. Ms. Buehler said staff was moving forward with the first phase of permanent housing, 80-100 units. She said the Weigand Homeless Center extended their hours and operating season and this was possible due to the $30,000 appropriated by Council, Catholic Community Services, and the Salt Lake City Downtown Alliance.
Councilmember Mendenhall asked Administration to follow up on the $30,000 they appropriated being conditional upon a match from the private sector.
Ms. Buehler said the Police Department made 2,300 contacts during holiday foot patrol. She said they are continuing drug operations, implementing a job-a-day program, and increasing community events.
Discussion was held regarding selection of housing individuals and site. Comments included financing taking longer than expected; survey and police/fire calls used in selection process; placing chronic individuals in existing units; similarities to Palmer Court; day services funding; opening a second day shelter for women and children; lockers; site partners being the Salt Lake City Housing Authority, Salt Lake County and the Road home.
Council asked Administration to report back on how data from the Salt Lake County Fair Housing Equity Assessment was being used to make a determination about location, the status on panhandling, the potential camping ordinance, and the effectiveness of the funding of the new Fire Squadron.
Discussion was held regarding putting disadvantaged people in places where they were not given opportunities to succeed, and the Collective Impact Model.
#5. 6:00:49 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING ON PLANS TO EVALUATE THE SITE AND CONFIGURATION OF THE CITY’S HOMELESS SERVICES. Throughout 2015, the Homeless Site Evaluation Commission will review services that are currently provided and best practices from across the country. The Commission will recommend a preferred site and configuration for homeless services – which may be at the current location or a new site. View Attachments
Elizabeth Buehler, Mary DeLaMare-Schaefer, Jill Love, Palmer DePaulis, and Bill Evans briefed the Council with attachments. Ms. Love said they approached an evaluation of the site by forming a Commission of Advisors for the City and to involve the public throughout the process. She said Gail Miller and Palmer DePaulis were chosen to chair the group.
Mr. DePaulis said success would be defined as having a collective vision, addressing short-term problems and developing and implementing a long-term solution.
Discussion was held regarding the selection of commission members. Comments included public input; relocation; safe streets; business community and service providers being over-represented; no representation from neighborhoods; west side representation; Council representation; open commission meetings; a resolution stating Council position; and receiving expertise from Bill Hobson, Seattle Homeless Advocate who has over four decades of experience in brining shelters into new areas.
A Straw Poll was taken to provide policy guidance for the Homeless Site Evaluation Commission in the form of a Resolution. All council Members present were in favor.
#6. 6:46:33 PM CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE § 52-4-205 (1)(b) TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND ATTORNEY-CLIENT MATTERS THAT ARE PRIVILEGED, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE §78B-1-137. (CLOSED SESSION HELD IN ROOM 326)
Councilmember Mendenhall moved and Councilmember Adams seconded to enter into Closed Session to discuss collective bargaining, Utah Code §52-4-205(1)(b), and Attorney-Client matters that are privileged, Utah Code §78B-1-137, Utah Open and Public Meetings Law. A roll call vote was taken. Council Members Luke, Mendenhall, LaMalfa, Adams, and Garrott voted aye. Councilmember Rogers was not present when the vote was taken. Councilmember Penfold was absent. See File M 15-2 for Sworn Statement.
In Attendance: Council Members Rogers, LaMalfa, Garrott, Mendenhall, Luke, and Adams. Councilmember Penfold was absent.
Others in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Margaret Plane, Brian Roberts, Jill Love, Lehua Weaver, Cindi Mansell, and Nicole Smedley.
The Closed Session adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
#7. INTERVIEW JEFF DIXON PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD. (ITEM H3)
Item not held.
#8. 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. Announcements
Item not held. See file M 15-5 for announcements.
#9. REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
Item not held.
The meeting adjourned at 7:17 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 January 20, 2015.
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