Council briefed on three rezones and police staffing down 49 positions before adopting the budget that night
June 15, 2021, 2:00 p.m. · Electronic meeting
In a work session before the evening's budget adoption, the council heard that police sworn staffing was down 49 funded positions since June 1, and reviewed three rezone requests (860 and 868 East 3rd Avenue, 850 and 870 East 2100 South, and 810 East 800 South), each of which Council Member Amy Fowler asked to put on the consent agenda. It also heard the Racial Equity in Policing Commission and the Mosquito Abatement District, and interviewed four board nominees.
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 Mendenhall gave COVID-19 metrics, including 1,380 total uses of Emergency Responder Pandemic Leave (up 12) and 330 of federal emergency pandemic leave (up one). Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Shaffer said many departments were returning to the City and County Building in a hybrid model and the city was accepting qualifications for stair repairs. Andrew Johnston reviewed shelter capacity, the Airport Inn's closure until fall for renovation, the June 16 resource fair, a second Kayak Court event June 23, cooling centers and showers. Police Chief Mike Brown reported sworn staffing down 49 funded positions since June 1, a new academy class in August, and 93 candidates; Deputy Chief Brian Purvis described the COMSTAT crime report. Members, the chief and mayor discussed staffing and response capacity.
Item 2 · Budget
Fiscal year 2021-22 budget: unresolved issues follow-up
Discussed
Jennifer Bruno outlined items for that evening's budget adoption: dispatch enhancements, fire medical response, Funding Our Future money, police funding, affordable housing, the North Temple RDA area, positions, pay increases, capital funding and extra rainy-day funds the mayor requested. Ben Luedtke described the six-motion adoption sheet. Council Member Fowler thanked staff, the mayor and departments.
Item 3 · Zoning
Rezone of 860 and 868 East 3rd Avenue
Discussed
Staff briefed the proposal to rezone two Avenues parcels, now townhomes, from CN and SR-1A to R-MU-35 (see the June 8 listing), saying the community supported the change. Members asked about setbacks under existing and proposed zoning. Applicants the applicant and the applicant said the project would keep commercial use, add density consistent with nearby multi-unit housing and restore landscaping. Council Member Fowler asked that it go on the consent agenda.
- Petition: PLNPCM2020-00703
- Current zone to proposed: CN and SR-1A to R-MU-35
Item 4 · Zoning
Rezone and Sugar House master plan amendment at 850 and 870 East 2100 South
Discussed
Staff briefed a request to rezone two parcels from CC (Corridor Commercial) to CSHBD2 (Sugar House Business District) and change the Sugar House Master Plan future land use from Mixed Use - Low Intensity to Business District Mixed-Use - Neighborhood Scale, allowing a future multi-family, office or mixed-use building. The applicant described a five-story residential project using a density bonus with affordable units and a social-cause component. Council Member Fowler placed it on the consent agenda.
- Petitions: PLNPCM2020-00906 and 00925
- Current zone to proposed: CC to CSHBD2
Item 6 · Presentation
Updates on racial equity and policing
Discussed
Commissioners from the Racial Equity in Policing Commission presented recommendations on body-worn cameras, an internal implicit bias survey of the police department, community training on the history of policing with people of color, and co-response and call diversion. The school safety subcommittee reported a second extension of the school resource officer agreement for six months or until renegotiated. Members asked whether council funding was needed for data collection.
Item 7 · Zoning
Rezone and master plan amendment at 810 East 800 South
Discussed
Staff briefed a request to rezone a parcel from R-2 (Single- and Two-Family Residential) to CB (Community Business) and change the Central Community plan from Low Density Residential to Community Commercial. Preliminary plans show a two-story building with commercial space downstairs, apartments upstairs and rear parking. The applicant cited a community council recommendation of approval and door-to-door outreach. Council Member Fowler asked to add it to the consent agenda.
- Petitions: PLNPCM2020-00740 and PLNPCM2020-00741
- Current zone to proposed: R-2 to CB
Item 8 · Presentation
Mosquito Abatement District briefing
Discussed
Executive Director Dr. Ary Faraji briefed the council on the district's operations and a proposed property tax increase for 2022, which he said reflects growth, price increases and overdue costs. He said the district is funded by property taxes and its pesticides are regulated by the EPA and state agriculture department. Members asked about truck spraying, which occurs only when needed and in Districts 1 and 2, and the effect of drought.
Item 9-12 · Appointment
Board interviews
Discussed
The council interviewed Meggie Troili and Tiffini Porter for the Art Design Board (terms to June 15, 2024), William Davis for the Housing Authority (to June 15, 2025) and Justin Rodriguez for the Police Civilian Review Board (to September 2, 2024). All four were on that evening's consent agenda.
Item 15 · Other
Closed session for collective bargaining and attorney-client matters
Approved · 6-0
The council entered closed session (2:58 to 3:54 p.m.) for collective bargaining strategy and attorney-client matters, then returned to work session. Council Member Fowler joined the closed session at 3:20 p.m. and was recorded absent on the motion to enter.
What residents said
Police staffingRezones for housingMosquito Abatement District tax increase