The City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in a Work Session on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. in Room 326, City Council Office, City County Building, 451 South State Street.
In Attendance: Council Members Carlton Christensen, Van Turner, Jill Remington Love, Luke Garrott, JT Martin and Søren Simonsen.
Absent: Councilmember Stan Penfold.
Also in Attendance: Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council Director; Jennifer Bruno, Council Deputy Director; Karen Halladay, Council Policy Analyst; Jan Aramaki, Council Constituent Liaison/Research & Policy Analyst; Lehua Weaver, Council Research and Policy Analyst; Curtis Preece, Justice Court Administrator; Sara Hiatt, Community Development Promotions & Grant Specialist; Steven Akerlow, Housing Programs Specialist; David Everitt, Chief of Staff; Ed Rutan, City Attorney; Boyd Ferguson, Senior City Attorney; LuAnn Clark, Housing and Neighborhood Development Director; Florence Reynolds, Water Quality Administrator; Rick Graham, Public Services Director; John Anderson, Principal Planner; Nick Norris, Planning Manager; Gina Chamness, Budget Director; Dan Mulé, City Treasurer; Dale Okerland, Financial Advisory; Richard Scott, Bond Counsel; Russell Weeks, Council Senior Policy Analyst; Beth Elder, Library Director; John Naser, City Engineer; Kevin Young, Transportation Engineer; Wilf Sommerkorn, Planning Director; Cheri Coffey, Assistant Planning Director; Janice Jardine, Council Senior Policy Analyst; and Chris Meeker, City Recorder.
Councilmember Love presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 3:06 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. CONSIDER A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE § 52-4-204, FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
(g) A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE §54-2-205 (1)(B);
(h) A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY (INCLUDING ANY FORM OF 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)(C);
(i) A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS PENDING OR REASONABLY IMMINENT LITIGATION PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE § 52-4-205 (1)(c);
(j) 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 UNDER 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;
(k) FOR ATTORNEY-CLIENT MATTERS THAT ARE PRIVILEGED PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE § 78b-1-137; AND
(l) A STRATEGY SESSION TO DISCUSS SECURITY PERSONNEL, DEVICES OR SYSTEMS PURSUANT TO UTAH CODE §52-4-205(1)(F).
This item was not addressed.
#2. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INCLUDING A REVIEW OF COUNCIL INFORMATION ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
See File M 11-5 for announcements.
#3. 3:12:16 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR OF SALT LAKE CITY APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SISTER-CITY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IZHEVSK, RUSSIA AND SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. View Attachments
Jan Aramaki, Sara Hiatt and Steven Akerlow briefed the Council with the attached handout. Ms. Hiatt said adopting Izhevsk as a Sister City would be the next step after being a Friendship City for eight years. Councilmember Martin asked Council Members if they would be open to discussing the Sister City policy. Councilmember Love said around budget time would be a good time to discuss this. Ms. Gust-Jenson said the Sister City program was a significant investment.
#4. 3:23:49 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE RECERTIFICATION OF THE JUSTICE COURT OF SALT LAKE CITY. JUSTICE COURTS MUST BE RECERTIFIED EVERY FOUR YEARS BY THE UTAH JUDICIAL COUNCIL. View Attachments
Lehua Weaver and Curtis Preece briefed the Council with the attached handout. Ms. Weaver said the process of dissolving the Justice Court would be much harder than recertification. She said it would be a two year process. Mr. Preece said a new judicial review system was being set up by the State of Utah where a representative of the State formally goes into the courtroom and reviewed the judge. Councilmember Christensen asked for a representative to speak to the Council about concerns. Councilmember Love asked the Council to move forward on the recertification and then have a member of the State Judicial Review meet with Council.
#5. 3:33:34 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY TO SHARE COSTS FOR A STORM WATER POLLUTION AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. (THE CITY WILL PARTNER WITH THE COUNTY AND OTHER CITIES IN FUNDING EDUCATION TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS REGARDING THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION IN THE STORM WATER SYSTEM, AND HELP REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF RUNOFF ON STREAMS AND ON THE JORDAN RIVER)View Attachments
Florence Reynolds, Lehua Weaver and David Everitt briefed the Council with the attached handout. Ms. Reynolds said this was a renewal without a rate increase of the Storm Water Pollution Awareness Campaign with Salt Lake County for educational outreach. She said without the County Salt Lake would not be able to afford the program.
Ms. Reynolds said Scouting Troops worked with signage on gutters for storm water going into streams. She said medal placards lasted longer than paint. Councilmember Garrott asked that Public Utilities come back to Council at budget with a plan for volunteers for signage. Councilmember Martin said he wanted to reach out to volunteers.
#6. 3:49:18 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING, ON TWO ISSUES REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LOCAL BUILDING AUTHORITY:
a. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND OF THE LOCAL BUILDING AUTHORITY OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012. (POTENTIAL FUNDING FOR THE GLENDALE BRANCH LIBRARY)
b. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LOCAL BUILDING AUTHORITY OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, AND THE FORMS OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS RELATING THERETO; AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATE OFFICERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH; DISSOLVING THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING AUTHORITY OF SALT LAKE CITY. SALT LAKE COUNTY, UTAH AND PROVIDING FOR RELATED MATTERS. View Attachments
Gina Chamness, Dan Mulé, Dale Okerland, Richard Scott; Russell Weeks and Beth Elder briefed the Council with the attached handout. Mr. Weeks said deciding on the establishment of a Local Building Authority to issue lease revenue bonds or funding through sales tax bonds was the issue regarding construction of the Glendale Branch Library.
7. 4:07:53 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THE SALT LAKE CITY PLANNING DIVISION MASTER PLAN PROGRAM. THE BRIEFING WILL OUTLINE WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THE DIVISION RELATING TO DEVELOPING AND UPDATING THE CITY’S MASTER PLANS AND AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THE SENIOR PLANNER WILL FIT INTO THE DIVISION’S ORGANIZATION TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL. THIS INCLUDES UPDATING THE EAST BENCH COMMUNITY PLAN EVERY SIX YEARS. See Attachments
Wilf Sommerkorn, Cheri Coffey and Janice Jardine briefed the Council with the attached handouts. Mr. Sommerkorn said goals for the Planning Division were to ensure a focus on long range planning as well as ensuring professional development and well rounded planners. He said with the addition of a new Planner two long range community planning efforts could always be underway. All Council Members were in favor of the Planning Division’s management team handling the completion of long range planning.
#8. 4:55:35 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING THE CITY’S 10 YEAR CAPITAL FACILITIES PLAN AND IMPACT FEES. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION, PURCHASE OR RENOVATION OF BUILDINGS, PARKS, STREET OR OTHER PHYSICAL STRUCTURES. GENERALLY, PROJECTS HAD A USEFUL LIFE OF FIVE YEARS AND COST $50,000 OR MORE. View Attachments
Karen Halladay, LuAnn Clark, Rick Graham, John Naser, Kevin Young and Police Chief Chris Burbank briefed the Council with the attached handouts. Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they still wanted “When possible, Capital Improvement projects are not delayed nor eliminated in order to balance the budget. The Council also avoids using one time revenues to balance the budget” as the General Budget Policy. Councilmember Christensen said he wanted to see the expectation of eight to nine percent being held back for Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for the future.
Ms. Gust-Jenson asked the Council if they wanted small deferred items to be bundled in the CIP. Most Council Members were not in favor. Ms. Halladay asked if those types of items, under $50,000 should be pulled from the requests. Most Council Members were in favor.
Most Council Members were in favor of the March 1 date of each fiscal year for the Mayor’s recommended annual capital budget submittal. Councilmember Love asked Council staff to come back with other recommendations.
Ms. Halladay asked if the current policy of the Administration preparing a multi-year revenue and expenditure forecast which corresponded to the capital program period as well as an analysis of the City’s financial condition and capacity to finance future capital projects was what the Council wanted. Most Council Members were in favor.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the intention of funding no less than nine percent of ongoing General Fund revenues to be invested annually in the Capital Improvement Fund. Councilmember Love said the Council should revisit the percentage in two years. Most Council Members were in favor.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the request that the Administration submit an updated proposed five-year capital improvement plan to the Council along with the Mayor’s Recommended Budget. Most Council Members were in favor of Council staff coming back with a two year proposal.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the intention that the City maintains its physical assets at a level adequate to protect the City’s capital investment and minimize future maintenance and replacement costs. Most Council Members were in favor.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the intention to give priority consideration to projects which preserve and protect the health and safety of the community are mandated by the state and/or federal government, provide for the renovation of existing facilities, resulting in a preservation of the community’s prior investment, result in decreased operating costs or other significant cost saving, or improve the environmental quality of the City and its neighborhoods. Most Council Members were in favor. Ms. Gust-Jenson suggested adding an Economic Development statement.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the intent to give fair consideration to projects where there was an opportunity to coordinate with other agencies, establish a public/private partnership, or secure grant funding, all other considerations being equal. Most Council Members were in favor.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the intent to follow the guideline of approving construction funding for a capital project in the fiscal year immediately following the project’s design where possible. Most Council Members were in favor.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the intent that all capital projects be evaluated and prioritized by the CIP Citizen Advisory Board. Most Council Members were in favor.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the intent that Council does not intend to fund any project that has not been included in the Five-Year Capital Plan for at least one year prior to proposed funding, unless extenuating circumstances are adequately identified. Councilmember Christensen suggested the Council discuss and determine what to remove from the plan.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the request that any change order to any capital improvement project which equals or exceeds twenty percent of the approved project budget be brought to the Council for review in a formal budget amendment. Most Council Members were in favor.
Ms. Halladay asked the Council if they wanted to keep the request that the Administration submit a budget amendment request to the Council no later than September 1 each year identifying those Capital Improvement Program Fund accounts where the project has been completed and a project balance remains. And the intent that all account balances from closed projects be recaptured and placed in the CIP Contingency Account for the remainder of the fiscal year, at which point any remaining amounts would be transferred to augment the following fiscal year’s General Fund ongoing allocation. Most Council Members were in favor. Councilmember Love said the date needed to be adjusted.
5:43:43 PM Recommendations by Department for the Capital Improvement Plan.
#9.6:29:57 PM HOLD A FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION OF THE PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED AT THEIR SEPTEMBER RETREAT, INCLUDING REVIEW OF A PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT ON ARTS AND CULTURE. (THE OTHER PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED WILL BE DISCUSSED AT FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS AND INCLUDE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE CITY, NEIGHBORHOODS AND SCHOOLS, LOCAL/NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS, PARKS AND OPEN SPACE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY.)View Attachments
#10.6:17:58 PM INTERVIEW POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR THE SALT LAKE CITY REDISTRICTING WORK GROUP PRIOR TO BEING APPOINTED.
MAYOR’S RECOMMENDATION:
•MARIA TORRES, DISTRICT 4
•STEPHEN L. NELSON, DISTRICT 7
Maria Torres and Stephen L. Nelson were not present for the interview.
SALT LAKE CITY SCHOOL BOARD’S RECOMMENDATION:
•CRAIG RUESCH
•JOHN BENNION
Councilmember Love said Mr. Ruesch’s and Mr. Bennion’s names would be forwarded to the consent agenda for approval.
The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
This document along with the digital recording constitute the official minutes of the City Council Work Session meeting held October 4, 2011.
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