Council briefed on airport borrowing, alley vacation and a larger art-funding share in January 19 work session
January 19, 2021, 2:00 p.m. · Electronic meeting (no physical anchor location)
The council met in a remote work session and heard briefings on a proposed $300 million airport short-term borrowing program, a partial alley closure on 900 South, the city's annual financial audit and CARES Act housing grants. In a straw poll, members present supported raising the percent-for-art share of capital funding from 1% to 1.5%. No formal votes were taken.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall described the nationwide COVID-19 remembrance, upcoming homelessness initiatives, CARES Act housing funds and police operations during protests. Chief of Staff Rachel Otto gave first responder vaccination statistics, and Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Shaffer reviewed the city apprenticeship program. Council members asked to be notified when apprenticeship jobs are posted so they can help advertise them.
Item 2 · Presentation
Updates on racial equity and policing
Discussed
Staff reported a listening session set for Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. and updated the council on the police budget audit: documents had been sent to auditors, meetings with officials and stakeholders were being scheduled, and employee interviews, a data list and a timeline were reviewed. Council members asked for a list of the unnamed stakeholders.
Item 3 · Presentation
City's annual financial audit report
Discussed
Auditors from Eide Bailly gave an overview of the audit process and the financial and compliance reports. The council and staff discussed non-compliant items, including Class B and C road fund expenditures that did not require reporting, and how the council could help prevent future problems through governance and work with department heads.
Item 4 · Development
West End alley vacation, adjacent to 740 West and 746 West 900 South
Discussed
Staff briefed the council on a petition to close a small portion of a city-owned alley, not the whole alley, so the petitioner can square off a property corner for a future multi-family and commercial development. Council members and staff discussed why the alley is being vacated in pieces and the timeline. A hearing was set for March 2 and council action tentatively for March 16.
- Public hearing: March 2, 2021
- Tentative council action: March 16, 2021
Item 5 · Budget
Airport short-term borrowing program bond resolution
Discussed
Staff reviewed a bond resolution to set up a short-term borrowing program for the Department of Airports, with revolving obligations outstanding at any time not to exceed $300 million and a revolving line of credit from JPMorgan Chase. Officers would be authorized to approve final terms within set parameters. No discussion was held.
- Bond$300.0 million to JPMorgan Chase, National Association
- Public hearing: Feb. 16, 2021
Item 7 · City code
Percent for Art ordinance revision (Chapter 2.30)
Discussed
The proposal would raise the annual capital improvement funding minimum for art from 1% to 1.5%, create a public art maintenance fund and adjust Art Design Board powers and membership limits. Council members and staff discussed selling art from the collection, geographic rotation, repair and reinstallation, insurance and maintenance costs and decommissioning. Members asked for changes including updated CIP amounts, replacing the word citizen with resident, sending decommissioning recommendations to the mayor for final approval, and concern over the board deciding purchase and maintenance funding. A straw poll to raise the percentage to 1.5% was supported unanimously by those present.
- Tentative council action: Feb. 2, 2021
Item 8 · Budget
HUD CARES Act grant funds (CDBG-CV, ESG-CV, HOPWA)
Discussed
Staff briefed the council on recommendations from resident advisory boards and the mayor for one-time pandemic response funding and an interlocal agreement with HUD. Discussion covered vaccine roll-out help, eligibility criteria, rent and mortgage assistance, hotel vouchers, disbursement timing and whether housing staff could handle distribution. Members asked staff for a spreadsheet showing the federal funding and where it was spent.
- Tentative council action: Feb. 16, 2021
Item 9 · Presentation
Previous years' legislative intents and interim study items
Discussed
Staff reviewed progress on fiscal year 2020-21 legislative intents. Topics included tuition reimbursement and education incentives for police officers, cultural landscape reports for Pioneer, Allen, Washington Square, Liberty and Parley Historic Nature Parks, the Golf Fund, the role of the Police Department, transportation and the CIP process, RDA legislation impact and a decriminalization review of city code.
Item 10-14 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews
Discussed
The council interviewed five appointees: Ginger Cannon (Parks, Natural Lands, Urban Forestry, and Trails Advisory Board), Durga Ekambaram (Cultural Core Budget Committee), Stewart Soleman (Bicycle Advisory Committee), and Sonali Loomba and Nico Dicou (Arts Council Board). Each described their experience and interest in serving.
Item 16 · Other
Report of the Executive Director
Discussed
Council Member Andrew Johnston offered to step down from the Council of Governments seat, and it was determined that Council Member Daniel Dugan would take his place. Members and staff also discussed rotating who conducts formal meetings and the Livable Streets Program.
What residents said
Airport borrowingAlley closure on 900 SouthPolice budget auditCARES Act housing funds