Council shifts federal grant funds by straw poll and hears ARPA grants committee, Hunter Stables annexation and Reimagine Nature plan
April 5, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
With Council Member Ana Valdemoros absent, the Council took unanimous straw polls to move federal housing and homeless-services grant money, including $30,000 for shelter meals, $40,000 for a South Valley Services case manager and $37,778 for the YWCA. It also heard a proposed committee to distribute $4 million in ARPA grants, the Hunter Stables annexation petition and the 20-year Public Lands master plan. The minutes are marked pending and not yet approved.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Staff gave a COVID-19 update, noting the state had moved to a steady-state status with testing sites closing. Andrew Johnston reported on shelter occupancy and said overflow beds at St. Vincent de Paul and the Redwood overflow would close April 15, scattered motel rooms would stay open to June 30, and a winter overflow report was due in May. He also described downtown business needs and the No Refusal Receiving Center. Council Member Amy Fowler said cleanups right after resource fairs caused frustration and distrust among clients; Johnston said he would address it with the county health department.
Item 2 · Presentation
Equity update
Discussed
Chief Equity Officer Kaletta Lynch reported on the Human Rights Commission, a forthcoming ordinance tied to the CEDAW treaty, training for police cadets by facilitators recommended by the Racial Equity in Policing Commission, and ADA and language access liaison programs in city departments. A staff member said interviews for the new 12-member Accessibility and Disability Commission would be held April 12 and 19.
Item 3 · Budget
One-year Action Plan for CDBG and other federal grants, fiscal year 2022-23 (follow-up)
Discussed
Council members took several unanimous straw polls with Valdemoros absent. They supported Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler's proposal to shift all funding from the Shelter the Homeless meals item to the YWCA Women in Jeopardy program; Council Member Fowler's proposal to move HOME Development Fund money, less the federally required 15%, to NeighborWorks' affordable home buydown program; keeping the remaining 15% in a holding account while the Housing Stability Division returns with options; allocating $30,000 to Shelter the Homeless (meals), $40,000 to South Valley Sanctuary (case manager) and $37,778 to the YWCA, with any added revenue going to the YWCA; and sending remaining HOME contingency funds to NeighborWorks.
- Grant$30,000 to Shelter the Homeless
- Grant$40,000 to South Valley Services (South Valley Sanctuary)
- Grant$37,778 to YWCA Utah
Item 4 · Budget
Community Recovery Committee and $4 million ARPA community grants
Discussed
Budget Amendment No. 4 included $4 million for a Community Grants Program: $2 million for business grants run by Economic Development and $2 million for nonprofit grants run by Community and Neighborhoods. A new Community Recovery Committee, drawn from four existing boards, would advise on awards. The Council would delegate final decisions on requests up to $50,000, with larger requests returning to the Council, and the committee would follow open meetings law. Members and staff discussed delegating authority versus Council decisions, targeting businesses in need, technical assistance and committee makeup.
- Grant$4.00 million
Item 6 · Presentation
Plan status updates from the Community and Neighborhoods Department
Discussed
Staff reviewed the Growing SLC five-year housing plan, a consultant request for proposals, and 2022 state requirements, including HB 462 compliance by Oct. 1, 2022 and station area plans for 29 transit stations. Planning Director Nick Norris listed pending ordinances (shared housing, RMF-30, parking reduction, housing loss mitigation, affordable housing zoning incentive, ADU, downtown building height, renter's choice) and studies. Council Member Darin Mano asked that the housing loss, shared housing and parking ordinances return quickly, and Council Member Alejandro Puy asked the Council to consider ADU options such as pre-approved blueprints and rent-to-own.
Item 7 · Annexation
Annexation petition at Rose Park Lane and 2350 North (Hunter Stables)
Discussed
The Council has 14 days from March 24, 2022 to accept or deny the petition, and no action means it is accepted; acceptance is not approval and starts notices, a protest period and a final Council vote. The petition returned after the County Council supported the annexation and the map changed from 17 to 28 acres to include a city parcel and a state parcel. The applicant said the change addressed county concerns about leaving a portion un-annexed. Planning Director Norris said zoning is set in parallel with the annexation, and the Council could ask the Planning Commission for a recommendation.
- Petition: PLNPCM2021-01124
- Area: grew from 17 to 28 acres
- Applicant: the applicant
Item 8 · Parks
Public Lands 20-year master plan, Reimagine Nature
Discussed
Public Lands staff and consultants presented the plan for a citywide system of parks, natural lands and urban forests, with five goals and 10 transformative projects, including growing the urban forest, connecting mountains to the lake and reviving the river. Staff said about 94 additional acres of park space would be needed to keep current service levels and that engagement reached over 12,000 participants. The Parks, Natural Lands, Trails and Urban Forestry board endorsed the plan. A hearing is set for April 19 with action targeted for May 3.
Item 9-11 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed Amanda De Lucia (Historic Landmark Commission), Richard Layman (Sugarhouse Park Authority Board of Trustees) and Katie Hansen (Utah Performing Arts Center Agency) for terms ending April 5, 2026. Chair Dan Dugan said each was on the consent agenda.
Item 12 · Other
Chair report: Other Side Academy rezone request
Discussed
Dugan said the Council office had not received complete information on a rezone request for a tiny home village at about 500 South Redwood Road and was awaiting the required public benefits analysis before it can be scheduled.
Item 14 · Other
Closed session on collective bargaining and attorney-client matters
Approved · 6-0-1
The Council met in closed session from 6:39 to 7:11 p.m. The minutes record 6 votes in favor of entering, with Valdemoros listed as both absent in the header and as abstaining on this motion.
What residents said
Cleanups following resource fairsDelegating ARPA grant decisionsHousing affordability rules