The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at 2:10 p.m. in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State Street.
In Attendance: Council Members Carlton Christensen, Kyle LaMalfa, Luke Garrott, Jill Remington Love, Charlie Luke, 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; Edwin Rutan, City Attorney; Karen Halladay, Council Budget and Policy Analyst; Lehua Weaver, Council Policy Analyst; Nick Tarbet, Council Constituent Liaison; Eric Shaw, Community & Economic Development Director; Mary DeLaMare-Schaefer, Deputy Community & Economic Development Director; Robin Hutcheson, Transportation Director; Padma Veeru-Collings, City Prosecutor; Lynn Jarman, Engineering Financial Analyst; Gina Chamness, Budget Director; Leslie Chan, Open Space Lands Program Manager; Gordon Hoskins, Finance Director; Rick Graham, Public Services Director; Marina Scott, City Treasurer; and Cindi Mansell, City Recorder.
Guests in Attendance: Robert Rendón, Zion’s Bank
Councilmember LaMalfa presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 2:10 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. 2:10:40 PM PARTNERSHIP DISCUSSION – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. The Council will receive a briefing from Robert Rendón, Senior Vice President and Community Development Director for Zion’s Bank regarding the Community Reinvestment Act. This is one in a series of briefings from partnership organizations that will be scheduled in 2013 by the City Council.
Mr. Rendón briefed the Council from a Power Point presentation (View Power Point). He discussed performance evaluation and tracking, Assessment Areas, lending, investments, service tests, and challenges. Discussion followed regarding the various programs.
#2. BUDGET ITEMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013 – 2014. The Council will receive a briefing and discuss items related to the Mayor’s recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2013-2014. View Attachments
a. 2:32:02 PM Attorney’s Office. Relating to the Attorney’s Office.
Lehua Weaver, Ed Rutan, Padma Veeru-Collings, and Cindi Mansell briefed the Council from attachments.
Discussion followed regarding digitizing City archives in the future to support transparency, City codification and how to evaluate the current provider or improve the quality of product they deliver. Ms. Weaver suggested a work group be formed from different departments within the City to ensure all issues have been addressed with a follow-up report to the Council. Councilmember LaMalfa expressed interest in a small group meeting prior.
Further discussion followed regarding the ability to quantify the work of the City Prosecutor’s Office and the satisfaction of its clients. Ms. Veeru-Collings provided numbers of Justice Court cases addressed and suggested potential methods for measurement of success. The Council discussed the functionality of the Justice Court system in general.
Inquiry was raised regarding technology investments to further support efficiencies and measurements of success. Mr. Rutan expressed appreciation towards E-Discovery software support; he said there were problems with software implementation and the need to ensure functionality before additional investment was made.
b. 3:01:46 PM Budget 2013-14 Unresolved Issues. Continuing a discussion with Council Staff regarding unresolved issues relating to the recommended budget. View Attachments
Councilmember LaMalfa said he hoped for a holistic budget discussion regarding unresolved budget issues in hopes of tangible outcomes and directives for Staff towards balancing the budget. He said staff would track the CIP discussion and present an overall budget scenario for discussion.
Karen Halladay, Nick Tarbet, Jennifer Bruno, Lehua Weaver, and Lynn Jarman briefed the Council from attachments and a Power Point presentation. View Attachments
The Council addressed the Fleet Replacement Plan and replacement costs versus maintenance costs. Straw Poll was taken on what level Fleet replacement should be funded with 50% voting for the recommended level; 33% for minimum; 27% current; zero for optimum.
Discussion followed regarding the Public Facilities funding level. Ms. Halladay said the current level was proposed in the FY2013-14 CIP Mayor’s Recommended budget and 10-year Capital Facilities Plan; minimum was the constrained 10-year plan; and optimum the list of all items plus additional desired by the Council. Ms. Gust-Jenson said not all desired improvements were considered ideal or were necessarily included in the 10-year plan (such as the protective maintenance/stonework for the City & County Building).
Discussion followed regarding the three-year review of the 10-year plan. Councilmember Penfold said there should be some mechanism to capture or retain improvements or priorities within the 10-year plan beyond existing funding sources. Ms. Gust-Jenson said there were many items not included and tracking should begin of items as they were noticed. Councilmember Christensen said the State Transportation Plan has various tiers according to funding (I, II, III) and the Council could think about a similar process to periodically go through and consider updates.
Straw Poll was taken on the funding level for Public Facilities with 79% voting for the minimum level and 21% voting for optimum.
Straw Poll was taken on the funding level of Pedestrian Infrastructure improvements (ADA, Concrete Sawing and Replacement) with 14% voting for current; zero for the minimum; and 86% voting for optimum.
Straw Poll was taken on the funding level for parks improvement projects with current being zero; 57% voting for minimum; and 43% voting for optimum.
Straw poll was taken on traffic signal improvement projects with 71% voting for the current; 14% voting for minimum; and 14% voting for optimum.
Straw Poll was taken on the funding level for Road Improvement Projects with current being zero; 57% voting for minimum; and 43% voting for optimum.
Ms. Bruno outlined the budgetary consequences of these choices, including a total of $30,619,850 and differing from the current budget by $19,508,850. She said this added $3,900,000 for Fleet; $2,500,000 to the existing public facilities; $2,500,000 for pedestrian infrastructure; $3,400,000 for parks; retains the current budget for traffic signals; and added $7,100,000 for roads.
The Council discussed the best approach, potential budgetary impacts, and projections/consideration for bonding. It was suggested a public discussion entail “this is where the public would like to be” to inform the Council as to whether there was buy-in for capital improvements and maintenance and at what level.
The Council took a short break at 4:11 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 4:30 p.m.
4:30:54 PM Ms. Bruno said Administration recommended allocation of increase in expected Airport parking revenues to fund the increased fully–loaded cost of a Public Engagement Coordinator. Debate followed regarding the position and whether this funding would be better utilized elsewhere such as for the School District or public engagement/communication. Ms. Gust-Jenson suggested Staff work with Administration to develop wording for a uniform approach towards the Council expectation surrounding public engagement.
Straw Polls were conducted as follows:
A majority of the Council (5-2) voted to partially fund the Public Engagement Coordinator position in the amount of $75,000.
A majority of the Council (4-3) voted against the $75,000 being for public engagement related expenses and not a position.
A majority of the Council (6-1) voted in favor of capturing Airport parking revenues.
A majority of the Council (4-3) voted against utilizing the Airport parking revenues to fund the position in the full amount of $112,000 as recommended by Administration.
Ms. DeLaMare-Schaefer said the Public Engagement Coordinator job description was formed from interviews with the City Council and a Human Resources market review based upon the required skills and tasks. She said if funding was allocated for public engagement expenses only, concern would be who would be tasked to organize, spend, and create those materials. She said this was not an entry-level position, but a critical one that would create strategies and procedures as well as direct staff. Discussion followed as to consideration to hiring this position mid-year to allow time to further define expectations, etc.
A majority of the Council (4-3) voted in favor of a mid-year hiring for the Public Engagement Coordinator, or $56,000 of the recommended $112,000 salary. This item was flagged for Council Office budget discussion to deposit the remaining funds in Council communications.
5:07:07 PM Ms. Bruno said the budget included $120,000 line item for parking facility revenues at the Salt Palace never received. She said the City had tried to make the County pay (the vendor hired by the County), but have been unsuccessful even though there was an existing agreement. Mr. Everitt said an agreement was technically not necessary; he said historically, staff did not fight the political fight to make the vendor who manages the parking facility remit payment. Discussion followed regarding how likely payment would be, with unanimous Council consensus for this item to remain in the budget.
5:09:47 PM Discussion followed regarding the Councilmember salary increase proposed by the City Compensation Advisory Committee report. A Straw Poll was held, with the majority of the Council (5-2) voting NOT to receive a salary increase.
5:13:06 PM Discussion followed regarding the revolving loan fund, consideration to support ownership of land by local small business, potential to adopt policy or earmark the funds, consider a grant program and not creating Administrative overhead with new programs. Mr. Shaw said the current fund was extremely restrictive and the idea was to shape the program/establish parameters for the release of unrestricted funds and to allow leverage for additional private resources and funding. A Straw Poll was conducted with unanimous support of the Council to set aside up to $2,000,000 of the Revolving Loan Fund to be determined how to provide funding for local businesses.
5:22:34 PM Ms. Bruno said there was $90,000 included in the FY2012-13 budget for the Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper (LQC) concept; no new funds were appropriated. A Straw Poll was conducted with unanimous support of the Council for this amount to remain a one-time appropriation.
5:24:37 PM A Straw Poll was conducted with no support of the City Council for the Building Service Audit additional expense.
5:24:57 PM Discussion followed regarding additional funding towards public outreach/notification/mailings for traffic calming projects in neighborhoods. Ms. Hutcheson said Staff determined to initially begin with three projects; these were field reviewed yesterday to ensure suitability. She said Staff was now preparing communication to include door-to-door flyers to explain the project, remind the public they asked for these projects, potential dates for installation, along with explanation this was a pilot program and the projects could be moved, as well as the neighborhood being part of the decision to keep or relocate them. Ms. Hutcheson said the projects would be within the $88,000 allocated to CIP last year for this purpose. A Straw Poll was conducted with unanimous Council approval to allocate an additional $5,000 for public outreach/communication.
5:31:52 PM Discussion followed regarding tree planting/replacement, reversing the pattern of removing more trees than planting, tree inventory, funding, etc. Staff responded they did plan to do inventory and said the rates of removing/planting trees was unknown at this time and that it was believed to be related to funding and resources. The Council requested additional information in this regard as to what it would take to reverse that trend without first having the completed Urban Forestry Plan Management.
A Straw Poll was conducted with unanimous Council approval to appropriate $50,000 for one-time tree planting.
5:37:22 PM Ms. Bruno addressed the Consolidated Fee Schedule and Fire inspection fees for events. Concern was expressed regarding events being negatively impacted by fees that Administration had been working to clarify, and how these fees could be charged without Council approval. Ms. Gust-Jenson suggested language that would preclude the Administration from charging any fee that was not included on the Consolidated Fee Schedule. A Straw Poll was conducted with unanimous Council approval to prohibit all departments from charging fees that did not exist on the approved Consolidated Fee Schedule.
5:40:58 PM Discussion continued regarding a maximum fee for small events. Ms. Gust-Jenson said there had been policy discussions as to whether to implement these fees. Ms. Bruno said the fee schedule language had been changed to say Administration “may” rather than “shall” implement these; she said it was unknown whether the Council would like to allow more discretion. The Council discussed the need to articulate by policy.
5:45:09 PM Ms. Chamness offered clarification to reflect discussions on the implementation of fees by Enterprise Funds. She said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) fee increase was not proposed by Public Utilities or the Airport and that was the reason for the change. Ms. Gust-Jenson said currently Public Utilities did not have full disclosure of their fees and that was something asked for as well as public process. A Straw Poll was conducted with unanimous Council approval to request Administration provide as much information to the Council and to proceed with the original fee schedule; add language that precludes charging of fees not on the schedule; and if Administration wanted to specifically exempt items they could provide that recommendation before budget adoption.
5:48:12 PM A Straw Poll was conducted with 4-3 Council approval to appropriate up to $50,000 to the budget for demographic work for the Utah Data Project.
5:50:42 PM Ms. Chamness provided details of the $1,000,000 transfer of one-time Class C road funds to the General Fund. A Straw Poll was conducted with 4-3 Council approval for this one-time fund transfer.
5:54:05 PM Ms. Bruno addressed the one-time transfer from IMS of $1,000,000 to the General Fund for technology. A Straw Poll was conducted with 4-3 Council approval of the one-time fund transfer.
6:00:44 PM Further discussion followed regarding the live tracking amounts.
6:06:39 PM Councilmember Luke provided handouts View Attachments and spoke to “This is the Place State Park”; the proposed Splash Pad improvement; and the historical theme on the history of water irrigation and how Salt Lake City was the first western settlement to rely on canyon runoff. He said they were looking for a matching conditional grant and wanted to accomplish it this year. He said the Legislative appropriation of $50,000 was contingent upon the match of both Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City. He suggested $20,000 from Public Utilities Communications Budget and $30,000 from the General Fund could be utilized as one-time appropriation of the $50,000 match. A Straw Poll was conducted with 5-2 Council approval of a one-time $50,000 matching amount contingent upon State and educational content and working with Public Utilities on a satisfactory educational component.
6:15:27 PM Councilmember Simonsen said if the full $75,000 was not necessary for the Public Engagement Coordinator position he wanted to see some of that funding made available for communications. A Straw Poll was conducted with 4-3 Council approval to appropriate an additional $2,500 to each Councilmember’s individual communications budget (total $17,500).
6:19:32 PM Councilmember Love discussed low graduation rates and requested $100,000 placeholder funding towards the Capital City Education Campaign and a forthcoming proposal. A Straw Poll was conducted with 4-3 Council approval NOT to allocate funding at this time and to await the proposal and/or budget opening.
9:14:10 PM The Council discussed the proposed tax increase amount. Ms. Bruno said the initial wish list was $19,500,000 above the Mayor’s recommended budget. She said with the straw polls made earlier, the budget was $2,900,000 out of balance. View Attachments
Concerns included extensive needs to repair neglected infrastructure, service level investment, timing to inform the public regarding the needs, review and consider the amount of resources needed, the potential to shortchange the City by continuing to allocate only a small portion of funding necessary, the need to be responsible, and whether a property tax increase should be solely for capital improvements.
Ms. Gust-Jenson suggested Staff return with a percentage and additional information regarding the 10-year CIP plan divided by categories. She felt it would be inappropriate for Staff to take on recommendations as to which areas and which projects at this point, and suggested a future Council conversation to provide that type of direction. The Council discussed the struggle in balancing the budget taking away from smaller projects and CIP, various property tax increase amounts, and deferring responsibility of structure deficit to a future Council. Ms. Bruno said such would depend on how the Council determined to allocate a property tax increase.
A Straw Poll was conducted with 5-2 Council approval (Christensen and Penfold opposed) for Staff to estimate total property tax increase of both $6,000,000 and $8,000,000, percent of CIP to total budget, options for distribution within the categories and the 10-year plan, and project accomplishments with the additional funds.
c. Legislative Intents and Interim Study Items. The Council will review a report from the Administration regarding Legislative Intents and Interim Study Items adopted as part of the FY 2013 budget process. View Attachments
Item not held.
#3. BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 4 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013. The Council will receive a briefing regarding Budget Amendment No. 4 for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. Budget amendments happen several times each year to reflect adjustments to the City’s budgets. This proposed budget amendment includes adjustments totaling $6,176,231.24, relating to general obligation bonds, the Public Utilities water budget, and the Streetcar budget among other items. View Attachments
This item was not addressed during the Work Session.
#4. PARLEY’S TRAIL PHASE IV – THE DRAW AND PARLEY’S TRAIL THROUGH HIDDEN HOLLOW PARK INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH SALT LAKE COUNTY. The Council will receive a briefing regarding two resolutions related to construction of a section of the Parley’s Trail. The project includes construction of approximately 2,050 ft. of trail and an underpass tunnel under 1300 East street from Hidden Hollow Park to Sugar House Park. The agreements provide City – County coordination, the County’s use of City right of way and park property, funding, construction and maintenance of the project elements. The County will be responsible for all construction and maintenance, excluding landscaping improvements in Hidden Hollow Park.
• An interlocal cooperation agreement between Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County relating to the design and construction of Parley’s Trail Phase IV – The Draw.
• An interlocal cooperation agreement between Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County relating to construction of Parley’s Trail though Hidden Hollow Park and ongoing maintenance of the project elements. View Attachments
This item was not addressed during the Work Session.
#5. 8:37:47 PM OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION: JORDAN RIVER PARKWAY AND PARLEY’S TRAIL. The Council will receive a briefing regarding a proposal from the Administration to acquire three properties using $184,300 in Open Space Bond Funds. The parcels include:
• two properties adjacent to Jordan Park on Montague Avenue (961 and 962 West and 940 South). The properties would be used to serve the Poplar Grove Park and Glendale Park communities by providing greater access to the Jordan River parkway and Jordan Park.
• one property at 2205 South and 900 East adjacent to Parley’s Trail. The property, located along the Sugar House Streetcar stop, would allow the trail width to remain 12 feet and not be constricted by the streetcar station. View Attachments
8:37:45 PM Ms. Chan briefed the Council from attachments and discussed the recommendation to acquire three properties with the Open Space Bond. She said the parcels reflect the diversity of criteria being used and all relate to trails. She said the Open Space signage system (Way Finding and Directional) would be forthcoming as well as standards for consistent use. Discussion followed regarding Open Space priorities, bond criteria, balance, issuance, and expenditure time limit. Ms. Chan said Staff was working diligently to compile a comprehensive list of acquisitions for the new board.
#6. ZONING AMENDMENT – 1321 SOUTH 500 EAST, MICHAEL LOBB. The Council will receive a briefing regarding a proposal to amend the CN-Neighborhood Commercial zoning of property located at 1321 South 500 East to remove covenants, conditions and restrictions (CCRs) linking to zoning of the property. This would allow the applicant to demolish the existing building and construct a mixed use residential/office building. Although the applicant has requested amending the CN-Neighborhood Commercial zoning to remove the CCRs, consideration may be given to rezoning the property to another zoning district with similar characteristics. Petitioner: Michael Lobb; Petition No. PLNPCM2012-00588.
This item was not addressed during the Work Session.
#7. 8:50:42 PM BONDS FOR REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX. The Council will receive a briefing regarding the issuance and the sale of $15,300,000 aggregate principal amount of general obligation bonds of the City to finance all or a portion of a multipurpose regional sports, recreation and education complex and related roads, parking and improvements; authorizing the execution and delivery of certain related documents; delegating authority to certain officials and officers of the City to approve the final terms and provisions of such bonds and providing for related matters. View Attachments
Councilmember Christensen recused himself from this item.
Jennifer Bruno, Gordon Hoskins, Rick Graham, Ed Rutan, and Marina Scott briefed the Council from attachments. Discussion followed regarding the identical scope, litigation, the gift agreement opened up/changes made/finalized, and action requested to authorize the sale of the bonds, receive the proceeds, and begin the project.
#8. 5:56:48 PM INTERVIEW: SALT LAKE CITY TREASURER. The Council will interview Marina Scott prior to consideration of her appointment as the Salt Lake City Treasurer.
Councilmember LaMalfa said Ms. Scott’s name was on the Consent Agenda for consideration during the formal meeting.
#9. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
Item not held.
#10. REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
Item not held.
#11. (TENTATIVE) CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE § 52-4-204, FOR ANY ALLOWED PURPOSE.
Item not held.
The meeting adjourned at 9:53 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 June 4, 2013.
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