Council adopts leadership stipends 5-2, approves two rezonings and Northpoint light industrial zone; Wharton and Puy elected chair and vice chair
January 7, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
The Council voted 5-2 to adopt an ordinance creating annual leadership stipends for the Chair and Vice Chair of the Council and the Redevelopment Agency, with Council Members Chris Wharton and Daniel Dugan voting no. It unanimously adopted two rezonings, the Northpoint Light Industrial (M-1A) zone and campaign finance code changes, and ratified Wharton as 2025 chair and Alejandro Puy as vice chair.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Grant applications: EPA Brownfields and My Brother's Keeper | No action · 7-0 |
| Zoning map amendment at 333 West 700 South | Approved · 7-0 |
| Zoning map amendment at 238 South Concord Street and 1255 West Pierpont Avenue | Approved · 7-0 |
| Northpoint Light Industrial (M-1A) zoning text amendment | Approved · 7-0 |
| Ratify 2025 Council Chair and Vice Chair | Approved · 7-0 |
| Appointment of Chief Human Resources Officer David Buchanan | Approved · 7-0 |
| Appointment of Community and Neighborhoods Director Tammy Hunsaker | Approved · 7-0 |
| Legislative action on hedge and fence heights | Approved · 7-0 |
| Campaign finance amendments (chapters 2.46 and 2.68) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Council compensation change: leadership stipends | Approved · 5-2 |
| Consent agenda: library budget hearing date and board appointments | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item B.1-2 · Other
Grant applications: EPA Brownfields and My Brother's Keeper
No action · 7-0
Heard together, the Council took comment on a Sustainability Department application to the Environmental Protection Agency for asbestos remediation in the Northwest Pipeline building rehabilitation, and a Community and Neighborhoods application to the Obama Foundation for a pilot program to raise high school graduation rates for boys and young men of color. No one commented; both were referred to a future consent agenda.
Item B.3 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at 333 West 700 South
Approved · 7-0
With no public comment, the Council adopted Ordinance 01 of 2025 rezoning the General Commercial portion of a split-zoned parcel to D-2 Downtown Support so the whole parcel has a single zone.
- Applicant: TAG SLC for Bestway Investors, LLC
- Current zone → proposed: CG → D-2 (portion)
- Petition: PLNPCM2023-00923
Item B.4 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at 238 South Concord Street and 1255 West Pierpont Avenue
Approved · 7-0
With no public comment, the Council adopted Ordinance 02 of 2025 rezoning 0.25 acres from R-1/5,000 single-family to RMF-30 low-density multi-family. The owner intends to build five to seven family-sized units.
- Applicant: the applicant, property owner
- Acres: 0.25
- Current zone → proposed: R-1/5,000 → RMF-30
- Petition: PLNPCM2024-00389
Item C.1 · Zoning
Northpoint Light Industrial (M-1A) zoning text amendment
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 03 of 2025, a council-initiated amendment creating section 21A.28.040, the Northpoint Light Industrial (M-1A) district, to carry out the Northpoint Small Area Plan by providing for light industrial, office and research uses while reducing effects on adjacent agricultural and residential properties and native habitats.
- Petition: PLNPCM2024-00333
Item E.1 · Appointment
Ratify 2025 Council Chair and Vice Chair
Approved · 7-0
The Council ratified Council Member Chris Wharton as chair and Council Member Alejandro Puy as vice chair for 2025.
Item E.2 · Appointment
Appointment of Chief Human Resources Officer David Buchanan
Approved · 7-0
The Council approved the mayor's appointment of David Buchanan as chief human resources officer.
Item E.3 · Appointment
Appointment of Community and Neighborhoods Director Tammy Hunsaker
Approved · 7-0
The Council approved the appointment of Tammy Hunsaker as director of the Community and Neighborhoods Department.
Item E.4 · City code
Legislative action on hedge and fence heights
Approved · 7-0
The Council initiated a zoning petition directing staff to draft code changes: raising the maximum hedge height to 6 feet (now 4 feet) along side-yard lines in front of the primary facade, excluding defined clear-view standards, and raising the maximum fence, wall or hedge height behind the primary facade to 7 feet (now 6 feet). The request arises from resident concerns that current limits may restrict safety, privacy and function for properties with accessory dwelling units or higher density.
Item F.1 · City code
Campaign finance amendments (chapters 2.46 and 2.68)
Approved · 7-0
The Council adopted Ordinance 04 of 2025 removing political action committee and political interest committee reporting components and making housekeeping changes, including moving contribution limit amounts from the code to the website since they change every two years. One speaker asked the Council to vote no to allow more public review. Members said the changes align with state code, thanked residents who raised questions, affirmed the value of stringent requirements and transparency, and noted the timing ahead of the legislative session and the 2025 municipal election.
Item F.2 · Budget
Council compensation change: leadership stipends
Approved · 5-2
The Council adopted Ordinance 05 of 2025 (listed on the agenda as a resolution) amending city code 2.06.070 to provide annual leadership stipends to the Chair and Vice Chair of both the Council and the Redevelopment Agency. Council Member Petro said it does not change base pay. Council Member Puy welcomed the discussions on roles and compensation. Council Member Young said additional compensation should also go to board and commission members citywide and that leadership duties include notifying colleagues of important issues. Council Member Wharton, who asked for a formal compensation review process, said he preferred to wait for that data and voted no. Council Member Dugan thanked current leaders but said extra compensation was not necessary and voted no.
Item G · Other
Consent agenda: library budget hearing date and board appointments
Approved · 7-0
The Council set a Jan. 21, 2025 hearing on Library Budget Amendment No. 1 (re-appropriating $190,000 from unused employee benefits to the Main Library roof renovation) and approved appointments or reappointments to the Accessibility and Disability Commission (Nancy Strahan, Amy Carmen, Pamela Mower, Leah Lobato), the Art Design Board (Michael Mejia) and the Racial Equity in Policing Commission (Lisia Santini).
- Budget$190,000
What residents said
Edgehill Road access road damageDiseased street treesCampaign finance review
General comment: residents of the Edgehill Road area asked the Council to address a turnaround and parking restrictions at the top of the road and to repair vegetation damage from the Rocky Mountain Power access road before spring; a speaker asked the Council to vote no on the campaign finance ordinance to allow more review; others urged treatment of diseased sycamore and street trees; several raised concerns about the Church of Scientology.