The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. in Room 326, Committee Room, City County Building, 451 South State Street.
In Attendance: Council Members James Rogers, Luke Garrott, Erin Mendenhall, Lisa Adams, Charlie Luke, Kyle LaMalfa, and Stan Penfold.
Staff in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council Director; Jennifer Bruno, Deputy Council Director; Brian Fullmer, Council Constituent Liaison/Budget Analyst; Chris Burbank, Chief of Police; Ben Luedtke, Council Constituent Liaison/Public Policy Analyst; Gina Chamness, Budget Director; Mike Akerlow, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Development; John Spears, Executive Library Director; Larry Bowers, Airport Operations Manager; Mary Beth Thompson, Payroll/Accounting; Jaysen Oldroyd, Senior City Attorney; Russell Weeks, Council Senior Policy Analyst; Marco Kunz, Senior City Attorney; David Everitt, Mayor’s Chief of Staff; Margaret Plane, City Attorney; and Beverly Jones, Deputy City Recorder.
Others in Attendance: Christine Richman of GSBS Richman Consulting.
Councilmember Luke presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 2:08 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. RECEIVE A WRITTEN BRIEFING ABOUT THE QUARTERLY REPORT FOR STREET LIGHTS IN SALT LAKE CITY. The report details efficiency upgrades and potential restoration work. View Attachments
Councilmember LaMalfa requested that future quarterly reports for street lights include what is upcoming and what had already been completed.
#2. RECEIVE A WRITTEN BRIEFING ABOUT THE REFUNDING (SIMILAR TO REFINANCING) OF THE CITY’S GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS THAT WERE ISSUED FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS. The bonds were approved by voters in 2003. Projects included the Regional Athletic Complex, Open Space projects, and more. The process of refunding is common with City bonds and results in cost savings to City property tax payers. View Attachments
No discussion held, written briefing only.
#3. RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING ON:
a) Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. TRAINING ON MINIMIZING USE OF LETHAL FORCE. Discussion will include the Police Department’s record in avoiding and minimizing the use of lethal force and related training curriculum. The Council requested this briefing to ensure Salt Lake City Police Officers are provided with adequate training to avoid and minimize the use of lethal force when encountering aggressive humans or animals.
Ben Luedtke, Brian Fullmer, and Police Chief Chris Burbank briefed the Council from attachments. Comments included a new training simulator, de-escalation techniques, non-compliant individuals, fire arms proficiency, and dealing with protest groups and animals.
b) Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. IMPROVEMENTS TO PROCESSING SEXUAL ASSAULT EVIDENCE COLLECTION KITS. Discussion will include the status of sexual assault evidence collection kit (rape kit) processing. The briefing will also include information about the backlog of kits, testing costs, and options for testing at the State Crime Lab and other labs. View Attachments
Ben Luedtke, Brian Fullmer, and Police Chief Chris Burbank briefed the Council from attachments. Councilmember LaMalfa stated they had settled on five principals in their last meeting: 1) processing of the older rape kits; 2) more training for officers; 3) funding for process improvement; 4) auditing the system of justice (recognizing that the goal is justice for victims of sexual assault); and 5) new tools for prosecutors.
Councilmember LaMalfa said some of these items would be addressed with Budget Amendment No. 1. He said $300,000 had been proposed for untested Code R kits which would be used for DNA testing for all crimes. He asked about the $120,000 for the forensic scientist. Chief Burbank said that was in negotiation with the State to have a dedicated forensic individual to process these kits; he said that was a placeholder. Ms. Gust-Jenson said they wanted to try and put the money in the place where it was needed most, and the Administration could come back with a recommendation. Councilmember LaMalfa asked about funding for training. Chief Burbank said he did not know what it was and he had requested some immediate feedback, and wanted to identify some areas where the department could implement training.
#4. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING REGARDING BUDGET AMENDMENT NO. 1 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014-15. Budget amendments happen several times each year to reflect adjustments to the city’s budgets, including proposed project additions and modifications. This amendment contains a number of proposed adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2014-15 budget, including funding for: staff to handle increased installation of fiber networks in the City, conversion of additional City fleet to electric vehicles, a program to harvest fruit from local fruit trees, maintenance for protected bike lands, and purchase of unused golf course property to be maintained as open space. View Attachments
Jennifer Bruno, Gina Chamness, Mike Akerlow, John Spears, and Christine Richman briefed the Council from attachments. Ms. Bruno said the first item was a placeholder because details needed to be worked out on funding for the 9-Line and West Salt Lake Master Plan implementations. She said the Council had expressed an interest in growing and improving all parts of the City. She said she proposed that as part of adopting the Master Plans they include a request for Administration to estimate what it would take to fund the improvements outlined in the plans.
Councilmember Penfold said he was intrigued with Councilmember LaMalfa’s proposal that outlines priority of the identified projects, includes the estimated cost, and funding options. He said he was concerned about pulling out budget amendment money for specific projects if they had not gone through a competitive or prioritization process.
Councilmember Rogers said the Council could implement the Master Plan and the Redevelopment Agency could help finance and implement the projects. Ms. Bruno said they could ask Community and Economic Development what it would take to look at both of the plans and include cost estimates to those implementations. She said a legislative intent might express what the goal was of allocating specific money. She said if the Council wanted to reallocate money that was allocated during CIP, that would be an action the Council could take during the budget amendment. She said the Council could include contingencies to express the Council’s intent of what it would be used for.
Straw Poll Taken:
•Whether the Council should consider a legislative intent formally asking the Administration to study the possibility of a funding mechanism and establish a timeline and specific projects for what those funding mechanisms could be issued and used for with the understanding that this might be a new process which Planning used moving forward to implement the master plans. All Council Members were in favor.
Councilmember Luke said the next item was from Councilmember LaMalfa for the Flower Festival. Councilmember LaMalfa said he thought the City should embrace the time during Conference and encourage conference-goers to come and participate and explore the rest of the City and downtown. He said the Downtown Alliance had agreed to pursue this type of festival and also agreed to find matching money. Councilmember Adams said she wanted to include the LDS Church properties that have such great gardens.
Straw Poll Taken:
•To fund the Flower Festival for 2015 with partners and sustainability. All Council Members were in favor.
Councilmember Rogers said the next item was to fund the majority of a track at the Rose Park Elementary School. He said the school had been trying to do this for the past two years. He said the case study said 74% of Rose Park residents were likely or highly likely to use a walking path trail on the Rose Park Elementary School campus. He said this was a one-time funding source of $100,000. He said it would be maintained by local groups and public groups as well as the Salt Lake City School District. He asked for the Council’s support on this issue. Councilmember Penfold said historically, the Council had challenges getting the School District to allow public use of their facilities. He said this would be a great opportunity for the School District to extend a willingness to communicate with parks regarding availability to utilize these resources when school was not in session.
Straw Poll Taken:
•Funding for track at Rose Park Elementary School for open public use, hours of operation, and all season maintenance by the School District; and encourage the School District to look at other opportunities to open other facilities in this same manner. All Council Members were in favor.
Councilmember Luke said the next items were issues related to homeless services. Mr. Akerlow said there were two proposals: one was for increased foot patrol in the Rio Grande/Gateway Energy Solutions Arena area, and the second proposal was a Director for a Commission regarding shelter services. Mr. Akerlow said that Elizabeth Buehler, Outreach Programs Director and Fred Ross, Deputy Police Chief, had been meeting with business owners in the Gateway and Energy Solutions Arena area. He said that business owners have requested there be increased foot patrol in the area during the holiday season. He stated the business owners feel it would strengthen and create a safer environment in that area. They are requesting four shifts from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for three weeks during the holiday season. The second request was for a Director of a Commission that the Mayor is putting together to discuss the shelter location and configuration. This would be a group made up of public leaders, business leaders, property owners, and service providers to discuss the shelter. He stated they are asking for $60,000 to fund a director or a manager of that commission to conduct the meetings, make sure that people are coordinating, and work with the commission members. Mr. Akerlow stated that they would be looking at a third-party contract. Councilmember Penfold asked how long this commission will meet; and Mr. Akerlow answered that they would start January of 2015 and be completed by November 2015. Councilmember Mendenhall asked how Ms. Buehler will work with the proposed commission and what her role would be. Mr. Akerlow said they would be heavily involved with proposals and getting them information. Councilmember Mendenhall requested that Mr. Akerlow let them know what their needs are in other areas such as staff support of the new Commission and bandwidth.
Councilmember Rogers asked how the foot patrol differs from the existing metro unit and whether foot patrol was necessary after allocation of the metro officers to that unit. Mr. Akerlow said that it was a capacity issue and additional staff was needed at the Energy Solutions Arena. Council Member Rogers asked whether the Gateway and the Energy Solutions Arena should be paying for increased patrol. It was stated that they had been asked and have not committed to do that.
Councilmember Garrott asked for the budget amounts to be specified again. Mr. Akerlow stated the budget amount for the police was $55,440 for three weeks of overtime pay and the commission director would be $60,000. He clarified that the officers would be patrolling the surrounding streets as well; this was not only for mall patrol. He stated they would base their success off of the feedback from the business owners.
Ms. Bruno stated the next item was an amendment to the Library Budget, a proposal to keep the main library open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The budget impact for slightly over the half year would be about $300,000 which has been fundraised and would be donated. She stated the process would be to accept the donation then establish the expenditure authority.
Mr. Spears said the library was approached two months ago about how they provided services to a very specific sub-population in Salt Lake City. He stated that this did not only involve the homeless, this involved second and third shift workers, students at the University, and anyone else who cannot make it into the library from the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. He said the funders have committed to raise money to do a two-year pilot project.
Councilmember Penfold asked Mr. Spears as to whether a successful pilot would result in incorporating operating funds in the Library Budget. He asked if they do incorporate this in their budget, what would the anticipated annual cost would be. Mr. Spears stated they are doing a feasibility study and a cost analysis. Councilmember Penfold asked if this would be the entire library being kept open or parts of the library. Mr. Spears answered they would at least look at the first floor which includes circulation, audio visual, the popular materials browsing collection, and the technology lab. He said the second floor may be included which was fiction, teen, and periodicals. He stated that they would not open any more of the library at this point. He said they would approach their tenant (The Salt Lake Roasting Company) to see if they would like to remain open as well.
Councilmember Garrott asked if the $1,000,000 for future funding accounts for the operating expenses of the two new branches plus this $600,000 per year to extend operating hours. Mr. Spears acknowledged the projections already account for the Glendale and Marmalade Branches, and $1,000,000 was $600,000 with $400,000 additional to show that it can be done.
Straw Poll Taken:
•Support accepting funding for 24/7 hour library proposal. All Council Members were in favor.
Ms. Bruno stated that the next budget amendment item was additional space for the Crime Lab and Evidence Storage Facility. Ms. Chamness stated that they had right of first refusal for space that had become vacant and this funding would allow for them to lease that space.
Ms. Bruno stated the final item was a .5 Full Time Employee Grant Management position. Ms. Chamness said that for the last decade, Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) has managed all grants in the City except the Police Department and the Airport. She said with the retirement of some key staff, the proposal was to shift that responsibility for citywide grant management not tied to Housing and Urban Development grants from HAND to Finance. She stated this would free up a portion of that FTE in HAND to really work within the Community Development Block Grant Program. That would require an additional half FTE in finance so that they can put together a full position to perform this important function citywide. Ms. Chamness said there would be a discussion and public hearing next week.
#5. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. HOLD A BRIEFING ABOUT PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FEE SCHEDULE, INCLUDING FEE CHANGES FOR TRAFFIC SCHOOL AND NEWS RACKS. View Attachments
Gina Chamness, Mary Beth Thompson, and Jaysen Oldroyd briefed the council from attachments.
Mary Beth Thompson said there are changes in the wording of the following: traffic school tiers, zoning and planning fees, and building permit calculations.
#6. RECEIVE A BRIEFING AND DISCUSS OPTIONS RELATING TO HEIGHT LIMITS, COMMERCIAL USES ON UPPER FLOORS, LIMITING BUILDING TYPES ON SOME STREETS AND OTHER ITEMS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED SUGAR HOUSE STREETCAR CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN AND ZONING AMENDMENTS. View Attachments
Item not discussed.
#7 Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. HOLD A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY’S GROUND TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS. THE PROPOSAL WOULD:
•allow “transportation network companies” to operate in Salt Lake City. Uber and Lyft are examples of transportation network companies.
•require all ground transportation businesses:
o to carry the same level of commercial liability insurance and name Salt Lake City as an additional insured party;
o to have drivers undergo the same background checks; and
o to have vehicles undergo the same City vehicle inspections.
•eliminate the 30-minute pre-arrangement requirement for ground transportation vehicles.
•eliminate the $30 minimum fee for limousine services.
•allow on-demand service for ground transportation companies except at the Salt Lake City International Airport – for destinations within Salt Lake City. On-demand service at the airport for destinations outside Salt Lake City will continue to be allowed. View Attachments
Russell Weeks, Marco Kunz, and Larry Bowers briefed the Council from attachments.
Russell Weeks reviewed the possible motions and alternatives that could be considered.
Councilmember Mendenhall stated that she understood that seatbelts were part of the appearance inspection which are not a part of the State Safety and Emission Inspection. Councilmember Garrott and Adams confirmed. Councilmember Rogers stated that only a handful of counties in the state of Utah require emissions; he said that Summit and Wasatch do not. He said if the City desires to improve the air-quality, there was the need to make sure that these vehicles are taken care of and not polluting the air.
Discussion followed regarding the process for voting and the concept to vote on each motion individually.
Councilmember Luke requested another motion pertaining to requiring an Emissions Inspection. Mr. Weeks said staff would prepare and bring the ordinance back at a later date.
#8. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. INTERVIEW KEVIN S. PARKE PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE POLICE CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD.
The Council interviewed Kevin S. Parke prior to consideration of his appointment to the Police Civilian Review Board. Councilmember Luke said Mr. Parke’s name was on the Consent Agenda for formal consideration.
#9. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. 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. View Attachments
See file M 14-5 for announcements.
#10. REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
#11. Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE §52-4-205(1)(d) TO DISCUSS THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY AND ATTORNEY-CLIENT MATTERS THAT ARE PRIVILEGED, IN KEEPING WITH UTAH CODE §78B-1-137. (CLOSED SESSION HELD IN ROOM 326)
Councilmember Garrott moved and Councilmember LaMalfa seconded to enter into Closed Session to discuss the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property, Utah Code §52-4-205(1)(d), 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, Penfold, LaMalfa, Rogers, Adams, and Garrott voted aye. See File M 14-2 for Sworn Statement.
In Attendance: Council Members Rogers, LaMalfa, Garrott, Mendenhall, Luke, Adams, and Penfold.
Others in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Margaret Plane, Jennifer Bruno, David Everitt, Ryan McFarlane, Gina Chambers, Robin Hutcheson, Mike Akerlow, Rick Graham, Alden Breinholt, Allison Rowland, Rusty Vetter, Mary Beth Thompson, Jaysen Oldroyd, Benjamin Roberts, and Beverly Jones.
The Closed Session adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
The Work Session meeting adjourned at 6:21 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 November 25, 2014.
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