Council hears COVID surge update, audit results and redistricting timeline
January 11, 2022, 2:00 p.m. · Electronic meeting
At a work session, the council heard that the Omicron surge had filled ICUs, received a clean audit opinion and reviewed the redistricting timeline, which requires a new district map by May 10, 2022. It also discussed public way permit notices, the city's watershed and water service area, and straw-polled support for Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler joining the Inland Port Authority Board.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Notice for permits to work in the public way (follow-up) | Discussed |
| Annual financial audit report | Discussed |
| Redistricting legal requirements | Discussed |
| Designated water service area | Discussed |
| Utah Inland Port Authority Board appointment | Discussed |
| Executive director's report | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the Omicron surge had pushed Salt Lake County's 14-day case rate up 161 percent, ICUs were at capacity and the citywide vaccination average was 67.16 percent. Andrew Johnston reported the Weigand Center overflow had opened with 35 beds, a high-needs temporary housing program would open in phases for elderly and medically vulnerable people, cleanings and abatement were resuming and the Point-in-Time count would run January 27 to 29. Police Chief Mike Brown reported 127,668 calls for service in 2021, improving response times, a 5.4 percent drop in citywide crime, a recruit class of 27 and sworn vacancies down to 33.
Item 3 · City code
Notice for permits to work in the public way (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff presented changes to city code that would require notice to adjacent property owners before work in the public way. Council Member Daniel Dugan stressed that residents need a local contact. City Engineer Matt Cassel said a local contact would be required, there would be a pre-permit and pre-construction notice, and the contact information would include the contractor and Engineering for evening and emergency issues.
Item 4 · Budget
Annual financial audit report
Discussed
Auditor EideBailly said the city received a clean (unqualified) opinion and no non-compliance in the federal single audit. The firm emphasized reconciling housing loans to Finance records, and Chief Financial Officer Mary Beth Thompson said the new ERP system would track receivables and revenues and balance monthly.
- ContractAmount not given to EideBailly
Item 5 · City code
Redistricting legal requirements
Discussed
Staff outlined the redistricting timeline: a two-week application period for a Redistricting Advisory Commission, about four meetings in February and March, council review of maps and hearings in April, and a legal deadline of May 10, 2022 to adopt a map. City Attorney Katherine Lewis said districts must be substantially equal in population, that one portion of the school district lies in Millcreek, and that a member whose residence is moved into another district could stay on the council representing the current district. Council Member Amy Fowler asked for a timeline graphic for residents.
Item 7 · Presentation
City watershed and water policy
Discussed
Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer said the city's drinking water comes 55 percent from streams, 35 percent from reservoirs and 10 percent from groundwater. She described the protected watersheds in four canyons (190 square miles, about 5 million visitors a year), the regulatory framework, 50 remaining water-right exchange contracts and 2022 water legislation.
Item 8 · City code
Designated water service area
Discussed
Briefer said a new state requirement following Constitutional Amendment D means the city must establish by ordinance a map of its designated water service area, which matches existing and historical service commitments outside city limits, excluding the canyons.
Item 9 · Appointment
Utah Inland Port Authority Board appointment
Discussed
Council Member Amy Fowler nominated Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler to the Utah Inland Port Authority Board because of her district's proximity to the port. Petro-Eschler accepted, calling it a top issue for her constituents. A straw poll showed unanimous support, with formal action tentatively set for January 18.
Item 11 · Other
Executive director's report
Discussed
Council members chose months for district newsletter inserts in utility bills (Puy and Fowler December, Mano and Dugan August, Valdemoros April). Fowler agreed to represent the council at monthly Association of Municipal Councils meetings, replacing Mano as he moved into leadership.