The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at 2:00 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; Karen Halladay, Council Policy Analyst; Russell Weeks, Council Senior Policy Analyst; Lehua Weaver, Council Research/Policy Analyst; Sherrie Collins, Special Project Grants Monitoring Specialist; Mike Akerlow, Housing and Neighborhood Development Director; Edwin Rutan, City Attorney; Gina Chamness, Budget Director; Robin Hutcheson, Transportation Director; Rick Graham, Public Services Director; John Naser, City Engineer; Eric Shaw, Community and Economic Development Director; Greg Davis, Public Services Finance Director; Nancy Sanders, Public Services Senior Accountant; David Terry, Golf Enterprise Fund Manager; Vicki Bennett, Sustainability and Environment Director; David Childress, Fleet Management Director; Gordon Hoskins, Chief Financial Officer; Bill Haight, Chief Information Officer; Curtis Preece, City Courts Administrator; Jeanne Robison, Justice Courts Judge; Sylvia Richards, Council Research/Policy Analyst/Constituent Liaison; Skye Garcia, Attorney’s Office/Risk Manager; Valeta Bolton, Justice Courts Budget/Accounting Analyst; and Scott Crandall, Deputy City Recorder.
Councilmember LaMalfa presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 2:06 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. RECEIVE A BRIEFING AND DISCUSS ITEMS RELATED TO THE MAYOR’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013-2014. View Attachments View Budget Staff Reports
a. 2:07:03 PM Capital Improvement Program (CIP) View Attachments
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.
Karen Halladay, Mike Akerlow, David Everitt, Jennifer Bruno, Gina Chamness, Robin Hutchison, Rick Graham, John Naser, and Sherrie Collins briefed the Council from handouts.
Councilmember Christensen requested information about how new “open space” was evaluated/defined in terms of utilizing impact fees. Ms. Bruno said the City could ask the consultant if the greenway corridor was impact fee eligible. The Council wanted that feedback prior to adoption. Councilmember LaMalfa requested a policy explanation about why maintenance items should be in the CIP budget.
The Council requested information about the $1 million transfer of Class C money to the General Fund as a one-time source and how the money would be spent. Ms. Chamness said the funds would be used primarily for street and sidewalk repairs. The Council requested a list of proposed projects.
Councilmember LaMalfa asked how General Obligation Bond debt shown in the Mayor’s proposed budget would impact CIP debt ratios. Ms. Chamness said she would provide that information including new debt calculations. Councilmember LaMalfa said he also wanted to know how Utah Performing Arts Center (UPAC) debt would impact ratios.
Comments/concerns were expressed on the following items: Item 26: Transportation 2 – Sunnyside Avenue street improvements ($350,000 – Not included in 10-year CIP). Councilmember Love expressed concerns about spending money for temporary solutions and suggested transferring $50,000 to Item 46. Ms. Hutcheson said some permanent solutions were included. Councilmember Luke said he opposed the transfer.
Item 46: Transportation 3 – 1700 South street improvement design – 1700 South, State Street to 500 East ($232,000). Councilmember Love suggested taking $50,000 from signal upgrades, $100,000 from downtown cycle track network, and $50,000 from Sunnyside for this project. Councilmember LaMalfa said the item would be flagged for further consideration.
Councilmember Christensen asked about signage posted along 1300 South (300 West/West Temple) that indicated repair work was planned. Mr. Graham said that project would not be designed/completed for several years and would have the signage taken down. Councilmember Penfold said the Council funded some design/construction for a right-turn lane off 300 West to 1300 South which included relocating a power pole. The Council wanted the Administration to explore combining projects so potential savings could be shifted to other projects. Mr. Everitt said he would work with Engineering and get back to the Council because federal funding issues might impact those projects.
Item No. 28: – (21st and 21st Street Enhancement) and Item No. 57: Parley’s Way Road Diet – (Parley’s Way, 2300 East to Wilshire Drive) Councilmember Simonsen said he wanted to flag this for further consideration/increased funding. Councilmember LaMalfa said the 9th/9th West Business District was not listed but wanted to explore ways to include it with 21st/21st. Councilmember Penfold said 9th/9th East had a special assessment and requested information about how that process/model might be used for other business nodes.
Discussion was held on utilizing impact fees/Class C funds for street reconstruction/overlays. Mr. Everitt said the Administration would bring information back to the Council including projected number of lane miles for this year. Mr. Naser said the street network study/inspection was complete so those numbers would be included in the Council’s update.
Discussion was held on the potential to bond with Class C funds for major road construction projects. Councilmember Christensen said with favorable financing rates/low construction costs, he suggested exploring this option.
Item No. 12: – Cemetery restrooms – 200 “N” Street ($35,000). Mr. Akerlow said the proposal was just to fix the heating system in the central restroom. Discussion was held on increasing CIP and addressing additional/deferred projects. Comments included utilizing Class C road funds/impact fees, downtown cycle tracks/maintenance costs, master plan updates, and public engagement. Councilmember Penfold requested feedback regarding Class C bonding opportunities/options including bonding capacity and a prioritized project list.
Councilmember Christensen suggested funding Item No. 8 – (Local Street Reconstruction FY 2013-2014) and bonding for the general fund portion of 700 South and/or other appropriate projects. Councilmember Garrott asked staff to expand on CIP scenarios listed in the staff report/page 3 showing how much revenue would be needed to achieve the 9% goal and beyond. He also requested information on potential new revenue streams including property tax increases.
Councilmember Garrott said he was interested in looking at other projects that were not recommended for funding such as downtown bathrooms requested by the Downtown Alliance.
b. 3:34:05 PM Non-Departmental View Attachments
Relating to the Non-Departmental Fund.
Russell Weeks, David Everitt, Eric Shaw, and Rick Graham briefed the Council from handouts. Discussion was held on special events funding/requests including fireworks. Councilmember Simonsen suggested holding a policy discussion about making Sugar House fireworks a formal City event rather than a sponsored event. The special events fund was flagged for further discussion including potential changes to timing issues associated with various events.
Discussion was held on the City’s contribution to Economic Development Corporation of Utah(EDCU). Mr. Shaw said they would continue to work with EDCU to understand/define their relationship with the City.
Discussion was held on the constituent complaint process. Councilmember Christensen suggested going through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to select a vendor to help the City. Mr. Everitt said the Administration was open to that suggestion but felt the RFP needed to be very specific about what the City wanted to address/solve.
c. 4:18:48 PM Public Services View Attachments
Relating to the Public Services Division. The Public Services Department provides many of the direct, day-to-day services Salt Lake City residents and visitors receive. They repair streets, maintain parks and public open spaces, provide culture, education and recreation activities for youth and families, remove snow, remove graffiti, trim trees, sweep streets, maintain traffic signs and signals, enforce parking ordinances, maintain the City’s buildings and other activities.
Karen Halladay, Rick Graham, David Everitt, Gina Chamness, and Greg Davis briefed the Council from handouts. Discussion was held on potential North Temple/Sugar House Greenbelt maintenance assessment districts. The Council expressed interest in ensuring these stayed on the City’s radar for future consideration.
Discussion was held on street tree planting, replacement, and maintenance issues. Councilmember Garrott said this should be a higher priority for the City.
Discussion was held on installing/maintaining additional garbage cans on City streets, installing waterless features in City buildings, salt, water, and metal recycling budgets, sidewalk repair/replacement, snow removal, Spring Mobile Ballpark naming rights, and public parking issues/costs relating to the Library block. Mr. Graham said there were ongoing discussions with the Mayor’s Office regarding prioritization and implementation. Councilmember Simonsen suggested working with the State regarding ways to address snow removal issues created by State plows.
Discussion was held on the status of tennis concession changes. Mr. Graham said negotiations were continuing with potential providers. Councilmember Love said some kids could not afford to play sports at a competitive level and wanted to put $50,000 toward the Neighborhood Grants Program to help non-profit providers. She also suggested the use of matching funds for County programs. Mr. Graham said he supported that suggestion.
Discussion was held on what progress was being made on deferred CIP maintenance items. Councilmember LaMalfa asked if Imperial Park was in the 10-year CIP plan. Mr. Graham said he did not believe so but would double check and get back to the Council.
d. 5:12:38 PM Golf View Attachments
Relating to the Golf Fund.
Karen Halladay, Rick Graham, David Terry, Gina Chamness, and Greg Davis briefed the Council from handouts. Councilmember Christensen asked about working with the School District to provide students an opportunity to golf at City courses to meet Physical Education (PE) requirements. Mr. Terry said he would follow-up on the request.
Discussion was held on closing the Jordan River Par 3. Mr. Graham said further analysis was needed including a review of the golf study currently being conducted before options would be presented to the Council.
Discussion was held on potential impacts created by the Affordable Health Care Act. Mr. Terry said the golf program would be heavily impacted especially hourly seasonal employees. Ms. Chamness said a panel comprised of Administrative staff/Council Members was being assembled to analyze impacts and future policy discussions would be held with the Council.
e. 5:37:15 PM Refuse Fund Class View Attachments
The Refuse Fund Class includes the budgets for the Recycling and Operations Fund and the Environmental and Energy Fund. It includes:
•Revenues and expenses for curbside waste collection services,
•Annual Neighborhood Clean-up Program,
•Glass recycling,
•City’s sustainability efforts,
•Outreach & education, and
•Tree planting.
Lehua Weaver, Rick Graham, Vicki Bennett, Nancy Sanders, and Greg Davis briefed the Council from handouts. Discussion was held on cost savings associated with converting vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), business plan concepts, historic preservation grants/loans, public engagement process, recycling options/rate structure, fleet maintenance, and landfill savings/restructuring.
Mr. Graham said they wanted to schedule a detailed briefing with the Council to discuss the business plan.
f. 6:00:46 PM Fleet View Attachments
Relating to the Fleet Division. The City’s Fleet Management Internal Service Fund provides vehicles, fuel, and vehicle maintenance and repair services for all City departments.
Jennifer Bruno, Rick Graham, Davis Childress, and Greg Davis briefed the Council from handouts. Discussion was held on developing partnerships with other departments, vehicle replacement/maintenance needs, car share program/motor pool, and hybrid technology/conversions.
g. 6:52:19 PM Finance View Attachments
Relating to the Finance Department. The Finance Department includes the City Treasurer’s Office, Accounting, Purchasing and Contracts, and Business Licensing services for the City.
Gordon Hoskins, Mary Beth Thompson, and Lehua Weaver briefed the Council from handouts. Discussion was held on a credit card transaction surcharge, parking ticket collection/processes, bond refinance savings, landlord tenant training/registration, and reciprocity for live training courses.
Mr. Hoskins recommended implementing penalties for landlords who failed to comply with program requirements. Councilmember Christensen recommended adding a surcharge for credit card transactions. Councilmember Garrott said he wanted to continue discussions about how to get people teaching landlord tenant training classes to meet the City’s needs and suggested increased monitoring/provider agreements. He also requested an update when the disproportionate cost study was completed.
Discussion was held on parking issues. Ms. Thompson said she was working with Transportation/Parking Enforcement to prepare a detailed transmittal for the Council. Councilmember LaMalfa asked that the transmittal contain data regarding the mix of parking tickets/meter fees. Mr. Hoskins said analysis was needed on relocating pay stations to maximize collections. Councilmember Christensen suggested exploring a variable rate for certain meter locations based on historical data.
h. 7:22:58 PM Justice Court View Attachments
Relating to the City’s Justice Court.
Curtis Preece, Valeta Bolton, David Everitt, Judge Robinson, and Sylvia Richards briefed the Council from handouts. Discussion was held on budget costs associated with handling a Justice Court judge’s legal case. The Council expressed concerns about how quickly the case could be resolved and asked Mr. Preece to come back with a budget proposal rather than trying to cover costs by reducing services. Councilmember LaMalfa requested statistical data relating to community service cases including how cases were cleared and turnaround time.
i. 7:42:27 PM Information Management Services (IMS) View Attachments
Relating to the Information Management Services (IMS) Department. The Department of Information Management Services provides technical support for all General Fund services and all Enterprise Funds in the City. The department is operated as an Internal Service Fund with divisions including Administration, Software Engineering, Network/Infrastructure, Technology Consulting, and Multimedia Services.
Bill Haight and Lehua Weaver briefed the Council from handouts. Discussion was held on providing Library services, fee structure, duplication of services, consolidation opportunities/shared services, constituent relationship management system, and park/playground/pavilions reservation system. Councilmember Love asked Mr. Haight to update the Council on features/capabilities relating to the park reservation system.
j. 8:02:11 PM Governmental Immunity View Attachments
Relating to the Governmental Immunity Fund. The Risk Management Division of the City Attorney’s Office administers the Governmental Immunity Fund, which is the City’s self-insurance fund for liability claims.
Edwin Rutan, Skye Garcia, and Russell Weeks briefed the Council from handouts. Discussion was held on vendor data software issues, e-discovery program, local event claims, insurance issues, risk assessment, small group events/insurance. Councilmember Christensen said he wanted to explore the concept of eliminating insurance requirements for small groups. Ms. Garcia said they were working with Public Services to achieve that goal.
k. 8:13:54 PM Unresolved Issues
Continuing a discussion with Council Staff regarding unresolved issues relating to the recommended budget.
Discussion was held on scheduling additional meetings to address remaining budget issues. Straw Poll: A majority of the Council was in favor of scheduling Friday, May 31, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Councilmember Simonsen said he was not available until approximately 4:00 p.m.
#2. 5:56:02 PM INTERVIEW JOHN MCCARTHY PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE CITY AND COUNTY BUILDING CONSERVANCY AND USE COMMITTEE.
Councilmember LaMalfa said Mr. McCarthy’s name would be forwarded to the Consent Agenda for formal consideration.
#3. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INCLUDING A REVIEW OF COUNCIL INFORMATION ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
See file M 13-5 for announcements.
#4. REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
No discussion.
#5. (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 8:24 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 May 28, 2013.
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