The City Council met in Work Session on Tuesday, September 3, 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; Ralph Becker, Mayor; David Everitt, Mayor’s Chief of Staff; Lynn Pace, Deputy City Attorney; Russell Weeks, Council Senior Policy Analyst; Margaret Plane, City Attorney; Rick Graham, Public Services Director; Robin Hutcheson, Transportation Director; Jeff Snelling, Deputy City Engineer; Michael Akerlow, Housing and Neighborhood Development Director; Rusty Vetter, Senior City Attorney; Gina Chamness, Budget Director; Justin Belliveau, Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Deputy Director; Daniel Echeverria, Associate Planner; Amber McClellan, Council Policy Analyst/Constituent Liaison; and Scott Crandall, Deputy City Recorder.
Guests in Attendance: Clint Ensign, Sinclair Companies Senior Vice President; Dale Okerlund, Lewis, Young, Robertson and Burningham; and Jayson Mathis, Downtown Alliance.
Councilmember LaMalfa presided at and conducted the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 2:09 p.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
#1. 2:09:36 PM RECEIVE A WRITTEN BRIEFING REGARDING THE QUARTERLY HOUSING REPORT, WHICH IS PROVIDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO KEEP THE COUNCIL INFORMED AND UP-TO-DATE REGARDING THE PRESENT STATE OF THE CITY’S HOUSING PROGRAM. The report is given once each quarter during the fiscal year. This report is provided in a new format with a summary of the housing program and attachments with more specific details. View Attachments
Councilmember Garrett asked Council Members to review the report and provide feedback to the Administration. Councilmember Christensen asked that the First-Time Homebuyer program be analyzed to determine other ways to encourage more citizen participation. Councilmember LaMalfa said the issue would be scheduled for additional discussion on a future agenda.
#2. 2:11:16 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING FROM CLINT ENSIGN REGARDING GRAND BOULEVARD AND TOPICS OF MUTUAL INTEREST WITH SALT LAKE CITY. This is one in a series of briefings from partnership organizations that will be scheduled in 2013 by the City Council. View Attachments
Clint Ensign briefed the Council with attachments. He said total project costs were estimated at $34 million. He said billboard issues would be difficult to resolve and the Research Park component needed to be explored in detail with the University and the State. Councilmember Simonsen said 400 South needed to be given additional consideration as the proposal moved forward. Councilmember Garrott said proposals to eliminate, relocate, modify, or add billboards needed further discussion. He asked Mr. Ensign to work toward ensuring the Boulevard was more amenable/friendly for non-drivers.
Councilmember Christensen asked Mr. Ensign to explore statutory limitations/scenarios regarding the hotel industry’s ability to contribute financing. He said those processes could take several years to complete and wanted the City to be ready to take action when the time was right.
Councilmember LaMalfa said he agreed 400 South needed to be included in future discussions and expressed concerns about how billboards could impact/hinder development by blocking views.
Councilmember Simonsen wanted staff to consider how Grand Boulevard information should be used such as inclusion in the downtown masterplan, vetting it through a broader process, or immediately implementing certain elements.
Councilmember Garrott asked about the Council’s role moving forward. Jayson Mathis, Downtown Alliance, said there was not a specific role now but felt the Council needed to stay involved. He said City planners were participating in ongoing processes/discussions.
Mr. Ensign said he planned to meet with the Chamber’s transportation subcommittee to discuss the viability of the Research Park idea and then decide which direction to proceed.
#3. 4:43:55 PM RECEIVE A FOLLOW-UP BRIEFING 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. View Attachments
Lehua Weaver, Robin Hutcheson, Jeff Snelling, Rick Graham, Mike Akerlow and Mayor Becker briefed the Council with attachments. Councilmember LaMalfa said during a prior meeting the Council elected to use Councilmember Love’s scenario as a foundation to review projects and determine appropriate ways to implement revenue generated by the general tax increase. He asked each Council Member to take a few minutes to express general thoughts about the subject. Comments included focus on maintenance/infrastructure related projects, reallocate cycle-track funding to other maintenance related areas, bonding options, add $1.1 million for Sunnyside Avenue, add East High crosswalk, add funding to sidewalk program and change percentage from 50/50 to 75/25, and visit areas where improvements were being proposed.
Additional comments included reviewing 1300 East and Highland Drive improvements, adhering to policy goals, following complete streets policy, 1700 South analysis/design, develop bike/pedestrian boardwalk concept to connect Nine Line to 9th/9th and other locations, identify specific projects currently ready for construction, transit master plan issues, 2100 South cycle improvements, citywide analysis of cycling improvements/needs, move forward with cycle-track concept, pedestrian safety infrastructure needs, create new parks including downtown pocket parks, address baseball/field sports/tennis/pickleball needs, identify new parks/green space for impact fees, aquatic center resurfacing, 1300 South improvements/enhancements, and trails coordinator efforts.
Councilmember Garrott requested follow-up information on the number of streets/percentage scheduled for resurfacing in the downtown area. Ms. Gust-Jenson said information was needed on specific projects/locations that would be improved using Class C road funds, including the Sunnyside proposal. Mr. Snelling said he would provide follow-up.
Councilmember Penfold said he understood there was a different estimate for the 1700 South project and requested specific details prior to the next meeting. Councilmember Love requested a prioritized list of tennis court resurfacing projects prior to the next meeting. Councilmember Penfold requested information on potential locations for pickleball courts.
Councilmember LaMalfa said the Council would begin to address specific CIP projects at the September 17, 2013 meeting.
#4. 2:54:26 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE PROPOSED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE UTAH TRANSIT AUTHORITY (UTA) RELATING TO THE OPERATIONS OF THE SUGAR HOUSE STREETCAR. View Attachments
Rusty Vetter and Robin Hutcheson briefed the Council with attachments. Ms. Hutcheson said the Council would receive additional in-depth information about the proposal/agreement in the coming weeks.
Discussion on the proposal included advertizing issues/limitations on streetcars, color/appearance issues, right-of-way fencing/barriers, walkability issues, greenway ownership issues, and ridership fees.
Councilmember Garrott asked Ms. Hutcheson to explore potential advertising options including utilizing other greenway areas and come back to the Council for further discussion. He suggested adding this to an existing legislative intent that requested the Administration develop an advertising plan for bus shelters. Ms. Hutcheson said they were working on the issue and a transmittal was close to being delivered to the Council.
Councilmember Simonsen said a fair/reasonable fee structure needed to be developed to ensure the streetcar’s success. Ms. Hutcheson said they were working with UTA and would provide feedback to the Council.
#5. 3:17:00 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING ON AMENDING THE PARAMETERS RESOLUTION FOR THE FINANCING OF THE UTAH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.(G2) View Attachments
Justin Belliveau, Gina Chamness, and Dale Okerlund briefed the Council with attachments. Discussion was held on the potential mix of RDA/City bonds including issuance scenarios. Councilmember LaMalfa said the proposal was on the formal agenda for consideration.
#6. 2:50:44 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD GRANT LEAVE WITH PAY TO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE CERTIFIED DISASTER SERVICE EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN DISASTER RELIEF SERVICES FOR UP TO 12 WORK DAYS IN ANY 12 MONTH PERIOD. The proposal would also create Title 22 – Local Emergencies, a separate title in Salt Lake City Code, to give local emergency provisions greater prominence. The proposal is part of the City’s efforts to actively prepare for disasters and catastrophic events. (H1) View Attachments
Amber McClelland briefed the Council with attachments. Councilmember LaMalfa asked if international participation was available to employees. Ms. McClelland said she would research the issue and get back to the Council. Councilmember LaMalfa said a public hearing would be scheduled.
#7. 4:36:26 PM RECEIVE A BRIEFING REGARDING A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD CLOSE A 370-FOOT PORTION OF CITY-OWNED ALLEY ADJACENT TO THE GLENDALE LIBRARY BRANCH PROPERTY AT 1365 SOUTH CONCORD STREET PURSUANT TO PETITION NO. PLNPCM2013-00172. The alley is situated midblock between Concord Street and 1200 West and between California Avenue and 1400 South. Closing the alley to vehicle traffic will allow the City to landscape the alley. Petitioner – Mayor Ralph Becker. (H5) View Attachments
Russell Weeks and Daniel Echeverria briefed the Council with attachments. Councilmember Christensen said there was a maintenance issue regarding a small parcel of land adjacent to the proposal. He asked the Administration to work out an agreement to ensure the property was maintained. Councilmember Garrott said additional discussion was needed and asked staff to review library maintenance agreements. He said the Council could use that information to facilitate the best public outcome for the Glendale/Marmalade branches. Mr. Weeks said a written report would be provided to the Council.
#8. 3:24:32 PM HEAR A BRIEFING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION OF SALT LAKE CITY ISSUES THAT THE LEGISLATURE MAY ADDRESS DURING ITS 2014 SESSION AND DISCUSS COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION OF THE CITY’S LEGISLATIVE APPROACH.
Lynn Pace said upcoming issues included public opinion polls, challenges with the County/State Tax Commission over how new growth was measured/assessed, land-use regulations regarding institutions serving alcohol including hours-of-operation, local/mass transit funding issues, and marketplace fairness act regarding sales tax collection/distribution.
Mr. Pace said it was important to encourage United States House Representatives to vote in favor of the marketplace fairness act. He suggested drafting a joint Council/Administration letter explaining the details and importance of approving the bill. He said there was a limited window of opportunity for action and he would work with the Council and Administration.
Discussion was held on components of the Council’s Legislative Policy Committee, including length of service. Suggestions were made for July through June or April through March.
Councilmember Garrott wanted to include a segment during Council retreats to suggest/discuss legislative issues with the Administration so leadership understood the entire Council’s desires.
Straw Polls:
•All Council Members were opposed to staying with the status quo, meaning the Council Chair, Council Vice Chair, and the RDA Chair would serve as the legislative sub-committee.
•Council Members LaMalfa, Love, Luke, Penfold, and Christensen were opposed to having all three sub-committee members elected by the body. Council Members Simonsen and Garrott were in favor.
•Council Members LaMalfa, Christensen, Penfold, Love, Luke, and Simonsen were opposed to having the Council Chair and two elected members serve as the sub-committee. Councilmember Garrott was in favor.
•Council Members LaMalfa, Christensen, Penfold, Love, Luke, and Garrott were in favor of having the Council Chair, the RDA Chair and one elected member serve as the sub-committee. Councilmember Simonsen was opposed.
Clarification was made that any deferrals by a sub-committee member to another person needed to be done with advice and consent of the entire Council.
Additional Straw Poll:
•Council Members LaMalfa, Luke, Christensen, Garrott, and Simonsen were in favor of having sub-committee members serve from April to March. Council Members Love and Penfold were opposed.
Concern was expressed about having new Council/RDA leadership for the last three months due to Chair and Vice Chair elections. Mr. Pace said at some point he needed to know who sub-committees were and if they would be held over until March. Councilmember LaMalfa said staff would prepare language for the Council to consider/approve.
#9. 5:56:27 PM INTERVIEW STEVE WOODS PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD.
Councilmember LaMalfa said Mr. Wood’s name was on the consent agenda during the formal meeting for Council consideration.
#10. 6:06:10 PM INTERVIEW MICHAEL BRAXTON PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION OF HIS APPOINTMENT TO THE ARTS COUNCIL.
Councilmember LaMalfa said Mr. Braxton’s name was on the consent agenda during the formal meeting for Council consideration. Councilmember Christensen asked Mr. Braxton to explore ways to involve youth in the arts.
#11. 6:10:29 PM 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.
See file M 13-5 for announcements.
#12. 5:59:49 PM REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
Councilmember LaMalfa commented on transportation, zoning, property tax and vending machine issues he experienced during his recent Sister Cities trip to Japan.
#13. (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 6:24 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 September 3, 2013.
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