Council vacates Learned and Fern alleys and authorizes up to $1 billion in airport bonds
June 1, 2021, 7:00 p.m. · Electronic meeting
Sitting also as the Local Building Authority and Redevelopment Agency, the council held second hearings on the 2021-22 budget, with about two dozen speakers on the police budget, and then vacated two alleys, 6-0, with Council Member Ana Valdemoros absent for those votes. It authorized up to $1 billion in airport revenue bonds, approved a county reimbursement of up to $55,365 for a 900 South intersection and approved Pride Month and appointments. Justin Rodriguez's board appointment was pulled from the consent agenda.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item B1 · Budget
Local Building Authority budget for 2021-22 (public hearing)
Continued · 7-0
The board held the second hearing on the Local Building Authority budget, which includes only bond debt service on the Glendale and Marmalade libraries. One speaker urged more funding for sustainability and public lands commissions. The hearing was closed and action referred to a later date.
Item D1 · Budget
Redevelopment Agency budget for 2021-22 (public hearing)
Continued · 7-0
The agency board held the second hearing on its budget. Speakers asked for affordable housing and housing at the International Center, and several, including a request for an outside investigation, raised the sale of the Pantages Theater and the agency's role in it. The hearing was closed and action referred to a future date.
Item F2 · Other
Resolution 19 of 2021: Pride Month
Approved · 7-0
The council and mayor adopted a joint ceremonial resolution celebrating Pride Month. Utah Pride Center director Rob Moolman thanked the council and mayor.
Item G1 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 9 for fiscal year 2020-21 (public hearing)
Continued · 7-0
The council held its second hearing. One speaker proposed a $10,000 retention bonus for police officers who were leaving for other agencies. The hearing was closed and action referred to a future date.
Item G2-G13 · Budget
Fiscal year 2021-22 city budget package (public hearing)
Continued · 7-0
At the second hearing on the mayor's recommended budget, about two dozen speakers addressed the police budget, nearly all urging cuts and reinvestment in housing, mental health services and community programs; one speaker urged higher police pay and retention to keep de-escalation-trained officers. One speaker urged that trails match the Public Lands master plan goals. The hearing was closed and action referred to a future date.
Item H1 · Development
Ordinance 21 of 2021: Learned Alley vacation (1025 West North Temple and 1022-1032 West Learned Avenue)
Approved · 6-0
The council vacated a 180-foot city alley next to the properties, where the applicant plans to consolidate lots for a multi-family residential building (the Lusso Apartments, according to speakers). During comments, residents opposed it, citing displacement of families and gentrification, and asked for a moratorium on new development to study low-income housing. Council Member Wharton said a gentrification mitigation plan would come to the council for public comment.
- Petition: PLNPCM2020-00572
Item H2 · Development
Ordinance 22 of 2021: Fern Subdivision alley vacation
Approved · 6-0
The council vacated the Fern Subdivision alley between 1000 East and 1100 East and Wood and Logan avenues.
- Petition: PLNPCM2018-0046
Item J1 · Budget
Resolution 21 of 2021: up to $1 billion in airport revenue bonds
Approved · 7-0
The council authorized up to $1 billion in airport revenue bonds to continue financing construction of the new Salt Lake City International Airport, repaid solely from airport revenue. The resolution authorizes officials to approve final terms, a third supplemental trust indenture, a bond purchase agreement and a continuing disclosure agreement, and sets a July 13 public hearing. The project is scheduled for completion in 2024.
- Bond$1000.0 million
Item J2 · Other
Meeting remotely without an anchor location
Approved · 7-0
The council ratified the Chair's decision to keep meeting remotely without an anchor location because the City and County Building remained closed to the public.
Item K1 · Other
Ordinance 23 of 2021: appointed employees plan amendment
Approved · 7-0
The council amended Appendix B of the fiscal 2020-21 compensation plan to recognize the existing Deputy Chief of Staff position in the Mayor's Office.
Item K2 · Roads and utilities
Resolution 20 of 2021: interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County for the 900 South and Gilmer Drive intersection
Approved · 7-0
The council approved an agreement under which Salt Lake County will reimburse the city up to $55,365 for reconfiguring the 900 South and Gilmer Drive intersection and related improvements.
- Grant$55,365 to Salt Lake County
Item L · Appointment
Consent agenda: set airport bond hearing, board appointments
Approved · 7-0
The council set a July 13 hearing on the airport bonds, appointed Joshua Isbell to the Police Civilian Review Board (term to September 2, 2024) and reappointed Dave Mortensen and Katherine Potter to the Arts Council (terms to May 1, 2024). The consent motion excluded L3, the appointment of Justin Rodriguez to the review board; the minutes record no further action on it.
Item L3 · Appointment
Police Civilian Review Board appointment: Justin Rodriguez
Pending
Removed from the consent agenda. The minutes record no separate action.
What residents said
Police budgetLearned Alley displacementPantages Theater saleFoothills trails planTennis center funding
Budget hearing speakers largely opposed the police budget and asked for reinvestment in services; one urged retention pay for officers. Comment speakers covered the Foothills trails plan pause, the Learned Alley vacation and displacement, the Pantages Theater sale, tennis center funding, air pollution, safety at a housing complex and land use at Trolley Square.