The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State Street.
In Attendance: Council Members Carlton Christensen, Van Turner, Jill Remington Love, JT Martin, Stan Penfold, Luke Garrott and Søren Simonsen.
Also In Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council Director; Mayor Ralph Becker; Jennifer Bruno, Council Deputy Director; Edwin Rutan, City Attorney; David Everitt, Mayor’s Chief of Staff; Neil Lindberg, Council Legal Director; Karen Halladay, Council Policy Analyst; LuAnn Clark, Housing and Neighborhood Development Director; Debra Alexander, Human Resource Director; Gina Chamness, Budget Director; Mary Beth Thompson, Payroll/Accounting; Margaret Plane, Senior City Attorney; Brian Roberts, Senior City Attorney; Rick Graham, Public Services Director; David Terry, Golf Enterprise Fund Manager; Vicki Bennett, Sustainability/Environment Director; Lehua Weaver, Council Research and Policy Analyst; Beth Alder, Library Director; Mike Beckstead, Library Finance and Operations Associate Director; Russell Weeks, Council Policy Analyst; Anne Wescott, Galena Consulting; Nancy Sanders, Public Services Senior Accountant; John Naser, City Engineer; Frank Gray, Community and Economic Development Director; Timothy Harpst, Transportation Director; and Scott Crandall, Deputy City Recorder.
Councilmember Love presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 2:08 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. 2:08:29 PM REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INCLUDING A REVIEW OF COUNCIL INFORMATION ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. View Attachments
See File M 11-5 for announcements.
#2. 3:41:39 PM DISCUSS THE GOLF FUND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) NEEDS AND NEXT STEPS. CITY LEADERS ARE CONSIDERING HOW TO FUND LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT THE EIGHT GOLF FACILITIES (NINE GOLF COURSES-MOUNTAIN DELL HAS TWO 18-HOLE GOLF COURSES) THE CITY OWNS AND OPERATES. PLANS TO IMPROVE THE GOLF COURSES COULD COST $22 MILLION. View Attachments
David Terry, Rick Graham and Karen Halladay briefed the Council with the attached handouts. The Council addressed questions/issues listed in various sections of the handouts.
Discussion was held on providing well-maintained golf courses. A majority of the Council was in favor but expressed comments about the appropriate quality/level.
Discussion was held on open space preservation. A majority of the Council was in favor but expressed comments about policy issues regarding leasing/selling property.
Discussion was held on requiring golf courses to be self-sustaining/no general fund subsidies. A majority of the Council was in favor.
Discussion was held on providing recreation opportunities with emphasis on affordability, quality and variety. A majority of the Council was in favor but expressed comments about adding “quantity” as another level. Ms. Gust-Jenson asked for feedback on the degree or level of affordability the Council wanted emphasized. Councilmember Penfold suggested having specialized outreach programming which encouraged participation of lower income communities/people.
Discussion was held on golf course improvements/prioritization. Mr. Terry said he felt the main priority was to make improvements that helped the Golf Fund remain self-sufficient. Ms. Gust-Jenson said there were ways to avoid costs and ways to generate revenue and asked if Council Members wanted to combine those approaches. A majority of the Council was in favor.
Ms. Halladay asked if the Council wanted staff to conduct a business proforma on Items b and c or request the Administration to do that. Councilmember Love said the Administration. Mr. Terry said those items were included in the CIP data.
Discussion was held on fee increases. A majority of the Council was in favor of increasing fees at some courses after appropriate evaluation. Councilmember Love suggested having the Administration come back with an approach with the understanding that fees would increase in January, 2012. Councilmember Christensen suggested that revenue raised through fee increases, remain at respective courses.
Discussion was held on creating a Bonneville Golf Course task force which would include members of the golfing community to address long-term solutions and an implementation plan. Councilmember Martin said he was in support.
Discussion was held on selling golf course property. Councilmember Christensen said there needed to be a nexus between the sale and use. A majority of the Council supported that concept but felt some flexibility was needed.
Discussion was held on re-zoning issues relevant to selling golf course properties. Council Members felt property sales needed to be consistent with master plan documents and go through a formal re-zoning process. Council Members also felt it was important to consider generating revenue through leases rather than sales.
Councilmember Love asked if the Council was willing to consider a general obligation bond. A majority of the Council was in favor.
Councilmember Love asked if the Council was willing to pursue private/public partnerships and collaborate with Salt Lake County. A majority of the Council was in favor.
Councilmember Love asked if the Council was willing to consider subsidizing golf courses from the General Fund. A majority of the Council was in favor from a capital standpoint, not operations.
Councilmember Love asked if the Council was willing to consider selling and/or closing an entire golf course. A majority of the Council was in favor but expressed concerns about preserving open space. Mr. Graham said some golf properties had restrictions which would impact their ability to be sold.
Councilmember Love asked if Council Members objected to items proposed under the “Use of Property” category in the handout. A majority of the Council was in favor. Ms. Gust-Jenson said prior Councils raised concerns about private/public competition issues in terms of banquets/receptions/weddings and asked Council Members to provide staff with comments/feedback.
Mr. Graham said the Administration planned to create a committee comprised of residents to work with them to address golf course issues and prepare some options which would be presented to the Council at a future meeting. Councilmember Martin asked about establishing the Bonneville Golf Course task force. Mr. Graham said he wanted to talk to Councilmember Martin about that idea and potentially find a way to combine that group with the one being proposed by the Administration or at least find a way to coordinate efforts.
#3. 4:36:29 PM RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING REGARDING THE LIBRARY OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012. A PROJECTED INCREASE IN LIBRARY REVENUE INCLUDES A REQUEST FOR AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES TO SUPPORT THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MARMALADE BRANCH LIBRARY. View Attachments
Russell Weeks, Mike Beckstead and Beth Elder briefed the Council with the attached handouts. Councilmember Christensen asked for feedback on the mill levy cap/projections relating to future capital needs. A straw poll was taken on Option C. A majority of the Council wanted more information about the impact of declining housing values and wanted to know at what point construction/progression could be stopped on Marmalade until economic conditions improved.
#4. 5:05:49 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (CIP) 10-YEAR PLAN. View Attachments
LuAnn Clark and Anne Wescott briefed the Council with the attached handouts. Councilmember Love said this issue would come back to the Council for formal consideration at a future date and was not part of the current budget process.
Council Members wanted the following projects/proposals included in future discussions: 1300 East from South Temple to 500 South; portions of 500 East north of 900 South; portions of 300 West; analysis of projects identified in various master plans; downtown street car; Broadway Theatre/performing arts center proposals; identify policy shifts; update master plan priorities; Liberty Precinct; 1300 South viaduct (full reconstruction); McClelland Corridor; and complete street upgrade priorities on 2100 South.
#5. 6:17:59 PM RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING REGARDING THE MAYOR’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR THE SALT LAKE CITY REFUSE FUND CLASS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012. (THE CITY PROVIDES A REFUSE PROGRAM OF WEEKLY CURBSIDE TRASH COLLECTION, RECYCLING (INCLUDING CURBSIDE RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING AND CENTRALIZED GLASS RECYCLING), CURBSIDE YARD WASTE COLLECTION, AND ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP. THESE SERVICES ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE OPERATIONS AND RECYCLING FUND (O&R FUND). IN ADDITION TO TRASH COLLECTION SERVICES, THE CITY’S CONCENTRATED ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS ARE STAFFED AND FUNDED THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY FUND (E&E FUND). THIS INCLUDES OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT, OUTREACH, BLUE SKY PARTICIPATION, AND TREE PURCHASING FUNDS.) View Attachments
Lehua Weaver, Rick Graham, Vicki Bennett and Nancy Sanders briefed the Council with the attached handouts. Councilmember Christensen said he was comfortable not raising rates until the Council had a better understanding of on-going costs. He said he did not want any more of the $5 million spent beyond the two proposed studies until a policy discussion was held on how the $5 million would be used and the Council understood the direction the Refuse Fund balance was headed. He said revenue generated from future rate increases needed to be used to cover ongoing costs and not used to reimburse/restore fund balance. He said that money needed to come out of the $5 million. Councilmember Love asked if the Council supported Councilmember Christensen’s suggestion. A majority of the Council was in favor.
#6. 7:15:41 PM RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING ON LANDLORD/TENANT INITIATIVE (“GOOD LANDLORD PROGRAM”), TO REVIEW OPTIONS TO REDUCING THE PER-UNIT FEES, INCLUSION OF 1 AND 2-UNIT PROPERTIES, AND BUDGET IMPACTS FROM ANY CHANGES. (THE LANDLORD TENANT INITIATIVE IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE GOOD MANAGEMENT OF RENTAL PROPERTIES.) View Attachments
Lehua Weaver, Mary Beth Thompson, Frank Gray and Neil Lindberg briefed the Council with the attached handouts. Discussion was held on implementing 1 and 2-unit apartments. Council Members wanted language included in the ordinance for that provision.
Discussion was held on proposed fees. Ms. Weaver said a $25 fee was proposed for those participating in the program. Councilmember Love suggested $20. A majority of the Council was in favor.
Discussion was held on disproportionate fees for those not participating in the program. Ms. Weaver said the handout contained five options. A majority of the Council was in favor of Option 4.
Discussion was held on staffing levels. Council Members expressed concerns about one supervisor overseeing just one employee. A majority of the Council was in favor of adding three positions this year and two additional positions next year.
Discussion was held on training. A majority of the Council was in favor of eight hours of initial training, additional four-hour training sessions every three years and two independent training providers.
Discussion was held on fraternities, sororities and boarding houses. A majority of the Council was in favor of including them in the proposal.
Discussion was held on how to handle Single Residential Occupancy units (SROs). A majority of the Council was in favor of including them in the proposal but concerns were expressed about how to classify and charge them. Mr. Lindberg said he would research the issue and provide feedback.
#7. RECEIVE A BRIEFING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING AN AUDIT OF THE CITY’S PARKING ENFORCEMENT FUNCTION AND REVENUES. (PARKING ENFORCEMENT IS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES’ COMPLIANCE DIVISION.) View Attachments
Item not held. Councilmember Love said the Council anticipated the Administration would come back with their response and wanted them to continue working on problems/goals.
#8. (TENTATIVE) DISCUSS COMPENSATION OF CITY EMPLOYEES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012.
Item not held.
#9. 6:31:47 PM RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING REGARDING BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 4 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011. (BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 4 CONTAINS 34 PROPOSED ADJUSTMENTS, AS SUGGESTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. BUDGET AMENDMENTS ARE ADJUSTMENTS/CHANGES/ADDITIONS TO THE ANNUAL BUDGET.)
• INITIATIVE A-6: REQUEST TO FUND 900 SOUTH CORRIDOR TRAIL AND BIKE LANES.
• INITIATIVE A-11: REQUEST FUNDING FOR PHASE I PILOT PROGRAM - 200 SOUTH BICYCLE CORRIDOR - U OF U TO DOWNTOWN. View Attachments
Jennifer Bruno, Frank Gray, Timothy Harpst, John Naser and David Everitt briefed the Council with the attached handouts. Councilmember Penfold suggested moving both projects out of the budget amendment and into the CIP process. A majority of the Council was in favor leaving them in the budget amendment but including them in CIP discussions.
Councilmember Simonsen asked if Council Members would support a funding increase for the Sugar House fireworks project. A majority of the Council was in favor of an additional $10,000 and potentially including contingencies for future contributions.
#10. 7:45:13 PM CONTINUE A DISCUSSION WITH COUNCIL STAFF REGARDING UNRESOLVED ISSUES RELATING TO THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET FOR SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012. THIS COULD INCLUDE BUT WAS NOT LIMITED TO: • RIPARIAN FEE - OPEN CITY HALL FEEDBACK, • LANDLORD/TENANT FOLLOW-UP, • STREET LIGHTING POLICY FOLLOW-UP - POLICIES/GUIDING PRINCIPLES, • KEY CHANGES HIGHLIGHTS - REMOVE $50,000 FUNDING FOR TRANSITION - JORDAN RIVER COMMISSION $14K - STRAW POLL BUSINESS LICENSE FEE INCREASE - STRAW POLL TRANSPORTATION SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR ($50K) AND • STRAW POLL GOLF FEE INCREASE.
Jennifer Bruno, Lehua Weaver, Gina Chamness and David Everitt briefed the Council with the attached handouts. Discussion was held on ways to close an approximately $900,000 gap needed to balance the budget which included removing $250,000 recommended for master plans, other planning plans/studies being paid for with general fund money (lighting study - $50,000) and resolving parking enforcement revenue loss (approximately $265,000). Councilmember Martin said he wanted to fund at least a Foothill Boulevard Corridor study. Councilmember Christensen said the parking/revenue problem needed to be resolved within 60-days.
Discussion was held on the street lighting program/proposal. Councilmember Love said before commissioning a study, the Council needed a better understanding of the lighting program/standards and what City goals/policies were. Ms. Gust-Jenson said Public Utilities should have information about what they wanted from a consultant and asked if the Council wanted her to get that information. A majority of the Council was in favor. Ms. Bruno said staff could prepare a list of additions to the budget for Council consideration next week.
#11. (TENTATIVE) CONTINUE A DISCUSSION REGARDING THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT STATEMENTS FROM FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011, INTERIM STUDY ITEMS AND DISCUSS POSSIBLE LEGISLATIVE INTENT STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012. LEGISLATIVE INTENT STATEMENTS, ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL AT THE START OF EACH FISCAL YEAR, IDENTIFY THE COUNCIL’S POLICY DIRECTION FOR PROJECTS OR ITEMS RELATED TO THE BUDGET IN THE TERM AHEAD AND HOW THEY MIGHT BEST SERVE THE NEEDS OF SALT LAKE CITY RESIDENTS. View Attachments
Item not held.
#9. 2:13:22 PM CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE § 52-4-204, FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
a) A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE § 52-4-205 (1)(b);
b) A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY (INCLUDING ANY FORM OF WATER RIGHT OR WATER SHARES) WHEN PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF THE TRANSACTION WOULD DISCLOSE THE APPRAISAL OR ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY UNDER CONSIDERATION OR PREVENT THE CITY FROM COMPLETING THE TRANSACTION ON THE BEST POSSIBLE TERMS PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE § 52-4-205(1)(d);
c) A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING OR REASONABLY IMMINENT LITIGATION PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE § 52-4-205(1)(c);
d) A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY (INCLUDING ANY FORM OF WATER RIGHT OR WATER SHARES) IF (1) PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF THE TRANSACTION WOULD DISCLOSE THE APPRAISAL OR ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE PROPERTY UNDER CONSIDERATION OR PREVENT THE CITY FROM COMPLETING THE TRANSACTION ON THE BEST POSSIBLE TERMS, (2) THE CITY PREVIOUSLY GAVE NOTICE THAT THE PROPERTY WOULD BE OFFERED FOR SALE, AND (3) THE TERMS OF THE SALE ARE PUBLICLY DISCLOSED BEFORE THE CITY APPROVES THE SALE; AND
e) FOR ATTORNEY-CLIENT MATTERS THAT ARE PRIVILEGED PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE § 78B-1-137.
Councilmember Garrott moved and Councilmember Christensen seconded to enter into Closed Session. A roll call vote was taken. Council Members Christensen, Turner, Penfold, Love and Garrott voted aye. Council Members Martin and Simonsen were absent for the vote. See file M 11-2 for Sworn Statement and recording.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
This document along with the digital recording constitute the official minutes of the City Council Work Session meeting held May 31, 2011.
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