Council briefed on Public Utilities budget, 700 South county funds and federal grant plan, and sets off-street parking questions
April 13, 2021, 4:04 p.m. · Electronic meeting
In a long work session the Council heard the Public Utilities FY 2021-22 budget ($420.5 million), a $611,000 county grant for the 700 South reconstruction, a Cartegraph asset-management update, and follow-ups on federal grant funding and off-street parking rules. Members indicated support for adopting the recycling zone resolution at the next formal meeting.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall reported on expected high winds, COVID-19 case rates (rising on the west side), vaccine distribution, resource fairs, the April 14 closure of the Fleet Block encampment, a two-month extension of the Airport Inn winter shelter land use agreement, state funding for the women's overflow motel program through October 15, and awards for 911 Dispatch and sensory-inclusion training for first responders.
Item 2 · Presentation
Updates on racial equity and policing
Discussed
Staff noted the next public meeting of the Racial Equity in Policing Commission would be April 21.
Item 3 · Roads and utilities
Interlocal agreement for 700 South reconstruction corridor preservation funds
Discussed
Staff explained that Salt Lake County would provide a $611,000 grant for realigning 700 South, with project completion expected in summer 2022. The City Engineer described the roadway, the property purchased and the project history.
- Grant$611,000 to Salt Lake County
Item 4 · Budget
Fiscal year 2021-22 proposed budget: Department of Public Utilities
Discussed
The total proposed Public Utilities budget is $420,480,027 (down 8.44%): water $127.4 million, sewer $268.2 million, stormwater $19.2 million and street lighting $5.7 million. Rate increases partly deferred last year are proposed to fund debt for the water reclamation facility rebuild and deferred capital work, and the plan adds 17 full-time positions. Staff said the 4th Avenue well should be operating by June 1, 2021, covered federal lead and copper rules (the city has no lead mains or service lines), and said Northwest Quadrant development would not affect reclamation facility upgrades.
- Budget$420.5 million
Item 5 · Presentation
Update on the Cartegraph integration
Discussed
Staff described the asset and operations management software, which has absorbed several older systems, and next steps including parks tracking, compliance integration and life-cycle costing.
Item 7 · Budget
One-year action plan for CDBG and other federal grants, FY 2021-22 (follow-up)
Discussed
In a straw poll, Council Members Amy Fowler, Ana Valdemoros, Andrew Johnston and James Rogers supported transferring $50,000 to the Utah AIDS Foundation for a mental health therapist; Council Member Daniel Dugan abstained and Council Member Darin Mano was absent for that poll. Dugan proposed moving $30,000 ($4,700 from HIVE, $5,300 from Donated Dental Services and $20,000 from the Gail Miller Resource Center) to Catholic Community Services for a data specialist. Council Member Chris Wharton said he was not comfortable taking money from those programs and asked who would own the data; Fowler did not support Dugan's proposal. Johnston supported the straw poll but said other staffing needs should be considered.
- Grant$50,000 to Utah AIDS Foundation
- Grant$30,000 to Catholic Community Services
Item 8 · City code
Zoning text amendments for off-street parking (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff identified six outstanding questions on the proposal to update and simplify parking requirements. Planning staff discussed allowed off-street parking increases, effects on the Central Ninth area and the need for input on bicycle parking in commercial and industrial uses; the Transportation Director said a parking study of the 900 South/900 East area was forthcoming. Council Member Darin Mano described a proposed amendment, and members agreed to fold in several oversight issues and to hold small-group meetings.
Item 9 · Other
Recycling Market Development Zone Program resolution
Discussed
The Council was briefed on the Sustainability Department's application to the state program, which gives tax credits to qualifying recycling businesses; the city's version is limited to M-1 and M-2 zones and does not change zoning. All members said they favored adopting it at the next formal meeting.
Item 12 · Other
Closed session
Approved · 7-0
The Council went into closed session to discuss pending or imminent litigation and attorney-client matters, with Council Member James Rogers absent. The recorded vote to enter was 7-0.
What residents said
Water and sewer ratesOff-street parkingHomeless services funding