Council adopts library budget amendment and public art funding increase to 1.5 percent; Budget Amendment No. 7 hearing draws opposing views on police funding
April 6, 2021, 7:00 p.m. · Electronic meeting
The Council voted 7-0 to adopt the Library Fund budget amendment and to raise the minimum capital-budget share for public art from 1% to 1.5%. It held public hearings on Budget Amendment No. 7, the FY 2021-22 federal grant action plan and a railroad safety grant, closing each and referring them for later action. The minutes are marked pending and not approved.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Sound the Alarm home fire safety resolution | Approved · 7-0 |
| Mayor's recommended CDBG, ESG, HOME and HOPWA funding for FY 2021-22 | Discussed |
| Utah Railroad Safety Grant 2021 application, 4900 West 700 South crossing | Discussed · 7-0 |
| Budget Amendment No. 7 for fiscal year 2020-21 (public hearing) | Discussed · 7-0 |
| One-year action plan for CDBG and other federal grants, FY 2021-22 (public hearing) | Discussed · 7-0 |
| Library Budget Amendment No. 1 for fiscal year 2020-21 | Approved · 7-0 |
| Ratify meeting remotely without an anchor location | Approved · 7-0 |
| Percent for Art ordinance revision (Chapter 2.30) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Learned alley vacation: set public hearing date | Approved · 7-0 |
| Fern Subdivision alley vacation: set public hearing date | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item A4 · Other
Sound the Alarm home fire safety resolution
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Resolution 9 of 2021 declaring April 8 to May 8, 2021 as days to Sound the Alarm, a program with the Red Cross to educate residents about home fires.
Item A5 · Budget
Mayor's recommended CDBG, ESG, HOME and HOPWA funding for FY 2021-22
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall presented her recommendations for federal housing and community development grant funding for fiscal year 2021-22.
Item B1 · Roads and utilities
Utah Railroad Safety Grant 2021 application, 4900 West 700 South crossing
Discussed · 7-0
The Council held a public hearing on a grant application to the Utah Department of Transportation that would fund safety work at the railroad crossing: widening the road, raising the approach grade for sight distance, adding sidewalk on the south side and bike lanes, and replacing crossing signals. Construction was expected July to December 2022. No one spoke; the hearing was closed and the item referred to a future consent agenda.
- GrantAmount not given to Utah Department of Transportation
Item B2 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 7 for fiscal year 2020-21 (public hearing)
Discussed · 7-0
The hearing covered a budget amendment that includes $6 million in U.S. Treasury rental assistance, funding for the November 2021 National League of Cities conference and an outdoor business assistance pilot. Many speakers opposed it, citing increased police funding, homeless encampment abatements and a wish for more community services funding. Representatives of the Ballpark and Central 9th community councils and several other residents supported the police funding and cleanup of camps; one speaker supported it except for the transit fare section (D-5). The hearing was closed and action deferred.
- Grant$6.00 million to U.S. Department of the Treasury
Item B3 · Budget
One-year action plan for CDBG and other federal grants, FY 2021-22 (public hearing)
Discussed · 7-0
Representatives of The Road Home, Fourth Street Clinic, Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, Community Development Corporation of Utah, Utah Community Action, Housing for People with AIDS, Assist Inc, First Step House, South Valley Services, YMCA Utah and The Inn Between described their grant requests. A few residents objected to the process of awarding grants and said such programs should have standing support as police do. Council Member Amy Fowler clarified that these are federal, not city, grants. The hearing was closed and action referred to a later date.
Item C1 · Budget
Library Budget Amendment No. 1 for fiscal year 2020-21
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 6 of 2021 amending the Library Fund budget. The amendment funds completion of the Library's Master Facilities Plan, a grant to expand digital access for underserved residents, earthquake repairs to the Main Library and renovation of the Sprague Branch.
- BudgetAmount not given
Item E1 · Other
Ratify meeting remotely without an anchor location
Approved · 7-0
The Council ratified its determination to keep meeting remotely without an anchor location under HB5002.
Item F1 · City code
Percent for Art ordinance revision (Chapter 2.30)
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 7 of 2021, raising the minimum annual Capital Improvement Program funding for art from 1% to 1.5%, creating a public art maintenance fund and adjusting Art Design Board powers and membership limits.
Item G1 · Development
Learned alley vacation: set public hearing date
Approved · 7-0
On consent, the Council set May 18, 2021 at 7 p.m. for a hearing on vacating a 180-foot city-owned alley next to properties at 1025 West North Temple and West Learned Avenue. The applicant plans to consolidate the lots for a multi-family building, which would need a separate petition. Petition PLNPCM2020-00572.
Item G2 · Development
Fern Subdivision alley vacation: set public hearing date
Approved · 7-0
On consent, the Council set May 18, 2021 at 7 p.m. for a hearing on vacating the Fern Subdivision Alley between 1000 East and 1100 East and Wood and Logan avenues. Petition PLNPCM2018-0046.
What residents said
Police fundingHomeless encampment abatementAffordable housingMask mandate
Speakers in the general comment period raised inclusionary zoning and economic development, use of CARES Act funds for encampment abatement, police funding, the mask mandate, street lighting and off-street parking, shared housing and single-room occupancy options, and affordable housing ideas.