City Council - Regular Meeting

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Even the microphone wasn't even on. I hope you continue to participate in whichever manner you feel the most comfortable. I would like to highlight that in addition to our business tonight as the city council, we'll have some business items in our roles as the local building authority and the community reinvestment agency board. Please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, and thank you again for joining us tonight. Before we continue through the agenda, I want to quickly go through the registration information and share the reasoning on how and why we chair these meetings the way we do. We welcome everyone, regardless of your opinion or your side on any issue. Because we will have people with varying opinions on important issues, the Council's goal is to make the meetings a place where people feel safe and comfortable participating. This is the most local level of government and it is a key value of ours to ensure that we have created a respectful and safe environment so that no one is intimidated out of free participation. This is also This also allows us to ensure that the meetings can continue and we can conduct the scheduled city business. We invite each of you to contribute to this space, to speak your mind, and to welcome others to do the same. In order to create this welcoming and safe space, We will pause the meeting at any action that causes disruption to our ability to conduct the meeting or any safety concerns involving threats or unprotected speech. If there are repeated actions or comments, it may result in removal from the meeting. To avoid intimidating others, please avoid the use of threatening or discriminatory language. Do not insult others based on religion, ethnicity, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, or physical ability. Whether you agree or disagree with someone's comment, clapping, cheering, shouting, booing, snapping, gesturing, obstructing, or discouraging others from commenting is not allowed. As a reminder, as council members, we refrain from reacting or responding to allow everyone to share their opinions freely. This is to keep our interactions from affecting your ability to share your opinion freely. If you would like to follow up with any of us, please see council staff, or if you're in Zoom, chat with our staff. When making your comments, please address the body and not any individual elected official. If you have a handout for the council, please raise your hand and council staff will assist you. Council staff are available during and after the meeting to help you with any questions or information sharing. The full meeting rules are listed at the door and our staff will post the link in Zoom. As a reminder, our public comment registration process INDIVIDUALS MAY REGISTER TO COMMENT ON SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS UNTIL THE HEARING IS CLOSED. NOW, LBA POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS. AS A LOCAL BUILDING AUTHORITY, WE'RE NOW IN POTENTIAL ACTION ITEMS. ITEM B1 REGARDING A RESOLUTION FOR THE BUDGET FOR THE CAPITAL PROJECT FUND OF THE LOCAL BUILDING AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, 2027. AND I NEED A MOTION.

MR. CHAIR. I move that the Board approve a resolution adopting the final budget for fiscal year 2026-27 of the Capital Projects Fund of the Local Building Authority.

Second.

I have a motion by Board Member Young, seconded by Board Member Pietro. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries unanimously. Now we conclude our agenda as the local building authority meeting, and I'm gonna ask for a motion to adjourn as the LBA and convene as the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency Board. Mr.

Chair, I move that we adjourn as the local building authority and reconvene as the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Authority.

Second.

I have a motion by Board Member Wharton and seconded by Board Member Carlson. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? This motion carries unanimously. Now we are in the Community Reinvestment Agency Board. And as the Community Reinvestment Agency Board, we are in the potential action item of the agenda. And item D1 is a resolution for the budget for the Community Reinvestment Agency of Salt Lake City for fiscal year 2026-2027. I need a motion.

Mr. Chair, I move that the board adopt the resolution approving the fiscal year 2026 CRA budget reflected in the attached key changes spreadsheet.

Second.

Excuse me, fiscal year 2027, CRA budget.

And that's seconded still, good. I have a motion by Board Member Dugan and Board Member Young seconded. Is there any discussion? All of those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? This motion carries unanimously. Now we conclude the CRA board meeting and I'm gonna ask for a motion to adjourn as the Community Reinvestment Agency Board and convene finally as the Salt Lake City Council.

Mr. Chair, I move that we adjourn as the Community Reinvestment Agency Board and reconvene as the Salt Lake City Council.

Second.

I have a motion by Board Member Wharton and seconded by Board Member Dugan All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? We are convened as the Salt Lake City Council Thank you for Jumping through all those agenda and those you know different different organizations with us We will consider now a joint ceremonial resolution with Mayor Mendenhall Celebration celebrating June 2026 as immigrant heritage month in Salt Lake City and I will turn the time over to councilmember Petro to read the resolution. I

This is a joint ceremonial resolution recognizing Immigrant Heritage Month. Whereas Immigrant Heritage Month is an annual observance celebrated in the United States to honor and recognize the significant contribution of immigrants and celebrate the diversity they bring to Salt Lake City, and whereas immigrants have played a vital role in building and sustaining our local economy, contributing as workers, entrepreneurs, educators, public servants, and community leaders, And whereas Salt Lake City acknowledges the hardships and sacrifices endured by immigrants throughout history and honors their resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in the American dream. And whereas Salt Lake City recognizes the dedicated efforts of immigrant rights advocates, community organizations, and individuals who work to empower immigrants, defend their rights, and foster a more welcome city. And whereas the United States, a nation of immigrants, and our city continues to be shaped and strengthened by those who come here seeking opportunity, safety, and a better future for themselves and their families, and whereas it is essential to promote inclusion, respect, and understanding among all members of society and to ensure that every individual is afforded equal rights, protections, and opportunities regardless of where they were born, now therefore be it resolved that the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor of Salt Lake City declare June 2026 Immigrant Heritage Month in Salt Lake City and encourage all residents to learn more about the social and economic impact of immigrants in the city and throughout the country.

Thank you, Council Member Pietro. I will look for a motion.

Mr. Chair, I move that we adopt the joint ceremony resolution with Mayor Mendenhall celebrating June 26th as Immigration Heritage Month in Salt Lake City.

Second.

I have a motion by Council Member Dugan, seconded by Council Member Carlson. Is there any discussion? I guess obviously this sincerely touches me closely as an immigrant myself, proud immigrant myself. And feeling incredibly lucky to be where I am and to have been helped and shaped by so many of my friends and mentors. And in so many cases, mothers and father figures that popped in my life to help me. I feel like this is, we are in more important times to highlight the value of our immigrant community and what it does to our state and our city. So I'm very thankful that this resolution made it to us. So I wanted to leave it out there. I would like to welcome now members.

Did I call the question? I did not call the question.

I'm going to call the question. All of those in favor to the motion by Council Member Dugan and seconded by Council Member Carlson. All of those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? This motion carries unanimously, and I would like to welcome members of the Utah Immigrant Advocacy Coalition and Sweden, Japan, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Portugal council members from the Utah Consular Corps here with us today to receive a copy of the resolution. Thank you for being here. Any of you would like to say any words? Come to the microphone over here. Oh, there's a fly.

Sorry. Hi, everyone. Thank you so much, Salt Lake City Council and Salt Lake City Mayor, for this wonderful resolution. It means a lot, especially in this moment, that Salt Lake City is not only welcoming in words, but welcoming in action when it comes to thinking about our immigrants and how valuable immigrants are in our city. So I just want to say thank you on behalf of the Utah Immigrant Advocacy Coalition.

Thank you. Oh, yes. Go ahead, please.

Your Excellency, Mayor, members of the City Council, thank you. My name is Luis Camem Manuel. I'm the Vice President of the Utah Consular Corps, and I currently serve as the Honorary Consul of Portugal in the State of Utah. The Corps is comprised of 32 different sending nations. We are constituted by both career diplomats and citizen diplomats. And we congratulate the Council and the Mayor's Office for this joint resolution. We stand fully in support of it. Our work is to support the citizenship needs and the interactions with the sending nations of our diaspora. Utah is a very diverse diaspora. It is in the DNA of this state, and we're so tremendously grateful for the show of support. We celebrate Italian days. We celebrate Scottish days. We celebrate many different diaspora celebrations in the state, and in fact, this last week, It was my honor to receive a proclamation from Mayor Mendenhall, also celebrating June 10th as Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese communities. We know that as a state and we know that as a city, we mean these things when we say we stand behind our immigrant communities and we're tremendously grateful that it goes beyond just a token statement once a year and we're very grateful to you for that. We stand in support of this statement and I yield. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. Oh, yes, please go ahead. Come on.

Thank you so much. On behalf of immigrant moms, many of us who are raising kids here that were born here, this is so important, especially in the times that we are right now. Thank you for standing with immigrant communities and with our kids.

Thank you. I will welcome those that want to receive the resolution, and we can make potentially more copies eventually for older people. So if you want to come and take a photo with us, so please join us.

I'm gonna be in the back row

Are you with all of us?

Okay, we are, our next item on the agenda is item F2, which is the council will consider adopting a joint ceremonial resolution with Mayor Mendenhall supporting America's 250 Utah, and recognizing Salt Lake City Utah 250 community committee will not turn the time to Council Member Young to read the resolution.

Thank you. Whereas the United States of America will celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, marking a quarter millennium since the nation's founding, and whereas the state of Utah has established the America 250 Utah Commission to commemorate this milestone through reflection, education, civic engagement, and community building within each of its diverse communities. And whereas Salt Lake City, as Utah's capital city, recognizes that our local history is complex and layered, shaped by indigenous peoples, settlers, immigrants, and generations of residents who have made this place their home. And whereas Salt Lake City is proud to be a city where belonging is not only an aspiration, but also a guiding value, and one where we strive to recognize all communities as ones whose unique experiences and cultures are essential to our shared American story. And whereas Salt Lake City's commitment to environmental stewardship social progress and the well-being of future generations reflects the forward looking spirit of the semi-quincentennial and whereas Salt Lake City values its role as a leader in cultural expression public engagement and outdoor recreation. and sees America 250 as an opportunity to invite reflection, conversation, and education that is inclusive of all who call this city home. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor of Salt Lake City form a Salt Lake City America 250 Community Committee, which will work to recognize the people, events, and places that have shaped our community and to imagine what a more just and connected future might look like.

Thank you, I need a motion now.

Mr. Chair, I move that we adopt the joint ceremonial resolution with Mayor Mendenhall supporting America 250 Utah and recognizing the Salt Lake City Utah 250 Community Committee.

Second. I have a motion by Councilmember Dugan and seconded by Councilmember Wharton. Is there any discussion? I am gonna call the question. All of those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? This motion carries unanimously. And now we are in the public hearing section of our agenda. And these are specific proposals before the council that require a public hearing. Your comments should pertain to the hearing item. And if you go off topic, we'll ask you to stop your comment. In order to create this welcoming and safe space we talked before, we'll pause the meeting at any disruption to our ability to conduct a meeting or any safety concern involving threats. or unprotected speech. If there are any repeated actions or comments, it may result from the removal from the meeting. You have two minutes to comment. For those that are on Zoom, you can unmute your microphone when your name is called. Each person will have those two minutes, and when the two-minute mark comes up, the word time will be mentioned and your microphone will be muted. You will be called to speak in the order of sign-ups. And if you have any technical problems, you can reach out to staff assistance here in the meeting. you can raise your hand or talk to the council staff. Or if you're online, you can reach out to Akshay and staff support through Zoom. If you are unable to finish your comment, you can send your comment to us and contact information is found at slc.gov slash council. Our public hearing is for grant applications, items G1 through G4, which will be heard as one public hearing. And before we start taking comments, I will turn the time over to Sylvia Richards, Council Policy Analyst, to give us a short introduction. Sylvia.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Periodically, the city applies for and receives grants which fund some city programs. Each grant receives a public hearing to provide the Council and the public with additional information. Our first grant is the Fiscal Year 26 Department of Transportation Safe Streets for All Funding Grant. If awarded, the grant would fund pedestrian and traffic safety improvements at 110 targeted intersections throughout the city, including LIDAR pedestrian detection technology, accessible pedestrian signal push buttons, and lighting. Second is the Civic Center All Abilities Destination Playground Grant. If awarded, the grant would fund a Civic Center All Abilities Destination Playground in the northeast quadrant of the Library Square Civic Center campus. Third is the Fiscal Year 27 Homeless Mitigation Grant application. If awarded, the grant would continue to fund existing full-time positions that support public safety efforts in neighbourhoods surrounding the homeless shelters. Fourth is the Fiscal Year 25 BJA Justice Reinvestment Initiative, strengthening state and local operations to reduce crime and recidivism. If awarded, the grant would fund travel, training, equipment, supplies, registration, and overtime for officers, social workers, and victim advocates. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, Sylvia. Taylor, can you begin with our first public comment?

Thank you, Mr. Chair. We have two people registered to speak to these items. The first will be Margaret Holloway, followed by Olive Jacoby. Margaret is here in person.

The volume is a little low, just so we know. Margaret, please. No, the volume is a little low.

This is about Sutherlands over in Rose Park on North Temple. Ever since they opened up the road home shelter over there on 6, the Motel 6, Sutherlands has been hit at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Wayne Clausey asked me, he says, what can we do? They all come out at 4 o'clock, come down towards his store and area. With all those new apartments over there, they kind of intermingle. They have nothing to do, so they come in his area. He said they trash this area. They're loitering. They come and they beg for food. They beg for money. and he's very upset about it. He donates a lot to our community. He helps the schools put in gardens, he donates time, he donates money, he donates products to everybody in the Rose Park area. I'm not quite sure whose district, if it's Victoria's, yours, Chris's, because I know North Temple's kind of like split up a little bit. But this hit everybody off sideline. And I know when the Gale Miller Resource Center, they put a lot of money in that to get it to work with the community. And because North Temple's going to be redone, it's like he's been, he's very frustrated. And he says, well, who could I ask? And I said, I don't know why you're asking me. It's not like I know anybody on city council. Anyways, he's asking for some help. But he doesn't want to be really vocal about it because he's kind of embarrassed. But it is his store. And if you're going to get more money or more, there should be something that can help him because that was the whole purpose. You set up one of those shelters someplace and then the whole area gets affected by it. You're supposed to go in and help that person or that area kind of mitigate the issues. So if you guys can reach out to him, I know Victoria knows him, I don't know if you know him or if Chris knows him, but they're really important to our neighborhood, the whole area, just really, and he just emphasized that with me. And with your new green loop that's been renamed, the benches are coming, ma'am. It's gonna be good. I hope it gets done quickly instead of prolonged out, you know, like some other projects get prolonged out, but.

Thank you, Margaret. Thank you.

Next will be Olive Jacoby. Olive, you may now unmute.

Hello. My name is Olive Peterson Jacoby. I live in District 5, and I'm here tonight to ask the City Council to oppose any grant that includes any form of automated surveillance or tracking technology, including the LIDAR pedestrian detection technology. Its effectiveness often falls short of what's promised, especially in low lighting or crowded environments. So I don't think it's worth it in the first place. And beyond that, time and time again, it's shown that Technologies like these can be exploited, and they're often embraced without proper guardrails, testing, or clear transparency and communication between the third parties that are running and managing these technologies, these cities that employ them, and the civilians who are now being surveilled in a new way. Additionally, I'd like to comment on branch four, the city. time and time again approves funding for the police department at a certain point we have to admit that they don't have a budget every time they come to the city council requesting money it seems that it gets approved in the whole or in part the city must not provide any more funding for the police department if they cannot do their jobs under the current budget and you would need to take money from elsewhere or raise taxes in order to raise their budget, maybe we should think about restructuring and investing in new agencies and new solutions that won't brutalize the community you claim to care about and want to defend. And finally, if there is some place to read about grants in more detail, I have not been able to find it. So it would be amazing for that to be made more apparent on the website, because not everyone has time to watch the work sessions or dive into these deeply.

And that was the final registered commenter for these items.

Thank you. I need a motion.

Mr. Chair, I move that council close the public hearing and refer items G1 through G4 to a future consent agenda for action.

Second. I have a motion by Councilmember Dugan, seconded by Councilmember Pietro. Any discussion? I'm going to call the question. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? that motion carries unanimously. We are now on the potential action items of the agenda, which is items H1 through H17, and they're associated to the implementation of the mayor's recommended budget for Salt Lake City, including the library fund for fiscal year 2026, 2027, The council has truly appreciated the public's interest, feedback, and involvement in this fiscal year's budget discussion. Input from the community is always invaluable in helping the council decide how to balance this fiscal year's budget. Council members, please refer to the sheet prepared by council staff, and it's probably warm from the printer. And while you make your motions, be careful with what you read. Make sure that it's accurate. I need a motion.

Mr. Chair, I move that the council adopt an ordinance approving Salt Lake City's fiscal year 2026-27 budget as outlined in the attached key changes spreadsheet and staffing document and proposed property tax adjustment, excluding the schedule for capital projects and debt, including the contingent appropriations as listed on the motion sheet under motion number one, item A.

Second.

Motion by Councilmember Young, seconded by Councilmember Dugan. Any discussion? All of those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? This motion carries unanimously. Now, Dugan.

Mr. Chair, I move that the council adopt an ordinance setting the final rate of tax levy, including the final levy for the library fund upon all real and personal property within Salt Lake City, made taxable by law for fiscal year 2026-27, as listed on the motion sheet, and authorized the city, excuse me, as authorized the council chair to sign the necessary documentations for the state tax commission. A tax of 0.003482 on each dollar of taxable valuation of which a 0.002374 shall be credited as revenue in the general fund generating $123,837,279 of ongoing revenue and 0.00007 shall be credited to the judgment levy for the general fund, a one-year adjustment generating $346,642 of one-time revenue, and 0.000626 shall be credited as revenue in the library fund generating $32,657,748 of ongoing revenue and 0.000395 shall be credited towards the repayment of general obligation bonds generating $20,614,755 of ongoing revenue and 0.000080 shall be credited as revenue in the governmental immunity fund for tort liability generating $4,173,514 of ongoing revenue. Second. That was a lot of zeros.

Council Member Dugan for the motion and Council Member Young for the second. Is there any discussion? I'm going to call the question. All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? This motion carries unanimously. Was it read correctly? Okay. There's a lot of... Okay. Good. Who's next?

Mr. Chair, I move that the council adopt the... Me?

Are you doing three?

Oh, sorry, we're going in order of, okay, go for it, go for it.

No, you're good. I move that the council adopt the property tax impact schedule dated June 16th, 2026, showing a tax rate adjustment exceeding the certified tax rate and reserve revenue funds received through the proposed increased tax rate in a restricted fund until the final budget adoption prior to September 1st, 2026.

Second. Motion by Council Member Warren, seconded by Council Member Pietro. Any discussion? All of those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Motion carries unanimously. Another motion?

I move that the council adopt $48,079,733 to be transferred into CIP, including approving $13,355,765 in funding as shown on the motion sheet. Later this year, the council will consider CIP project specific allocations. Second.

Motion by Councilmember Napier-Pierce, seconded by Councilmember Carlson. Any discussion on this? Can I call the question? All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Any opposed? Any abstentions? This motion carries unanimously. I am sorry for, you know, we were talking about divvying up the motions, and it's my fault for not keeping everybody updated. Who's next?

I move that the council adopt legislative intent statements as outlined on the motion sheet under motion five, items one through 10.

Second. Sorry, really quickly, sorry. I apologize for jumping in. We missed that there's actually 11 intents, so items one through 11. One through 11, thank you.

Thank you.

Re-seconded.

So the motion clarifies that it's items through one through 11. And it's a motion by Councilmember Pietro, seconded by Councilmember Young. Is there any discussion? I'm gonna call the question. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any oppose or abstentions? This motion carries unanimously.

Now I think it's my turn.

Yes.

Mr. Chair, I move that the council adopt items A through M as shown on the motion sheet relating to the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget. Second.

Motion by Council Member Carlson, seconded by Council Member Pietro. Is there any discussion on this item? I'm going to call the question. All of those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? This motion carries unanimously. Good job, everyone. That's good. We didn't mess it up, right? Yes? Okay. That was a good, we have a budget. We have a balanced budget. So good job to the finance team, the administration for working on one of the toughest budgets in a long time. So that was very impressive. So thank you for our council staff to help us sort through our great ideas. Some of them might have been a little crazy, but thank you so much for that. We are now on the consent agenda.

Move for approval.

Second. Motion by Council Member Warren, seconded by Council Member Pietro. Is there any discussion on this consent agenda? I'm going to call the question. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And we have concluded the council meeting for today. Thank you, everyone.