Council briefed on Fleet Block redevelopment, airport and utilities budgets, redistricting maps and two $100,000 business loans
April 12, 2022, 4:00 p.m.
The Council heard an update on the city-owned Fleet Block, the proposed fiscal 2022-23 budgets for the Department of Airports and Public Utilities, redistricting map options and the Thriving in Place anti-displacement plan. It also reviewed two proposed $100,000 loans from the Economic Development Loan Fund. A closed session on real property passed 5-1.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Staff gave COVID-19 and engagement updates. Andrew Johnston said the April 8 resource fair was successful and that overflow hotel and shelter options, including St. Vincent de Paul and the former Ramada, would close the week of April 12. He also described work with a Harvard/Bloomberg team and with the state on a statewide homeless impact plan.
Item 2 · Other
Fleet Block status and disposition strategy
Discussed
Staff updated the Council on the city-owned block between 300 and 400 West and 800 and 900 South, used for fleet vehicles until 2010, covering development considerations, engagement, soil and street conditions, infrastructure capacity, a request-for-proposals engagement plan and a Community Benefits Agreement. Council members discussed support for smaller or marginalized firms, with Council Member Darin Mano suggesting dividing the project into smaller portions and Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler asking about extra support in the RFP process. Staff said ten neighborhood families were contacted and five were comfortable signing a recommendation letter. Mano favored a land lease over a sale to help offset maintenance and said open space and a tribute to the area mattered; staff understood the Council wanted long-term city ownership. Council Members Chris Wharton, Amy Fowler and Ana Valdemoros also commented.
Item 3 · Presentation
Second administration response to legislative intents
Discussed
Staff listed progress on legislative intents from fiscal 2022 and earlier, covering the Attorney's Office, Community and Neighborhoods, Finance, Police, Public Lands, Public Services and the RDA. Council members asked about decriminalization review of city code, the boarded-building fee, Trips-to-Transit, the Police Civilian Response Team, Park Rangers, social workers and golf fund sustainability.
Item 4 · Budget
Fiscal year 2022-23 proposed budget: Department of Airports
Discussed
Airport Director Bill Wyatt and finance director Brian Butler presented the budget goals, including controlling costs, growing non-aeronautical revenue, stabilizing rates using ARPA and infrastructure grants, and securing long-term debt for the airport rebuild. Butler said the airport uses a January-to-January budget calendar to align with airlines. Members discussed ride services, clean-air fleet vehicles, the Park and Wait lot and traffic flow.
- BudgetAmount not given
Item 5 · Budget
Fiscal year 2022-23 proposed budget: Department of Public Utilities
Discussed
Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer presented priorities including aging infrastructure investment, regulatory programs, sustainability and resilience, plus budgets and rate projections. Members asked about property tax use, areas without sewer, the new water reclamation plant and the effect of rates on conservation.
- BudgetAmount not given
Item 7 · Other
Redistricting update
Discussed
Staff and Redistricting Advisory Commissioner Eric Kenney reviewed the commission's work and maps including Politely Compact with Minimal Changes, Community Council Boundaries, RD2022-02, RD2022-03, RD2022-04 and Something Totally Different. Members discussed keeping neighborhoods and community councils whole and how boundary changes affect the areas each member represents.
Item 8 · Contract
Economic Development Loan Fund: The Current Exchange, 1159 South Richard Street
Discussed
The Council reviewed a proposed $100,000 loan to a business that restores classic automobiles and replaces their engines with electric motors. Staff described the loan program, and members discussed outreach and loan denials. A vote was expected April 19.
- Contract$100,000 to The Current Exchange
Item 9 · Contract
Economic Development Loan Fund: Mindful Living Wellness Center, 1592 South 1100 East
Discussed
The Council reviewed a proposed $100,000 loan to a business offering float and sound therapy, yoga, coaching, massage and related services. A vote was expected April 19.
- Contract$100,000 to Mindful Living Wellness Center
Item 10 · Presentation
Thriving in Place anti-displacement plan
Discussed
Staff, a consultant and a University of Utah consultant presented the gentrification and displacement study, engagement phases and next steps, and reviewed the city's housing loss mitigation ordinance and new state requirements. The Council asked for small-group meetings on housing loss mitigation and affordable housing.
Item 11-12 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed Everett Bacon for the Human Rights Commission (term ending Dec. 30, 2026) and six candidates for the Accessibility and Disability Commission (terms ending Dec. 28, 2026). One candidate was absent and was to be added to the April 19 work session. Chair Dan Dugan said the names would be on the April 19 consent agenda.
Item 13 · Budget
Funding for community engagement
Discussed
Executive Director Cindy Gust-Jenson presented fiscal 2023 Council office options: a larger outreach budget for each member, continued hybrid meetings and whether to expand from four to seven community liaisons. Members discussed the added staff, office space and focused outreach, and Mano said continuing hybrid meetings was important.
Item 16 · Other
Closed session on real property and advice of counsel
Approved · 5-1
The Council met in closed session from 9:44 to 10:17 p.m. to discuss the purchase, exchange or lease of real property. Council Member Alejandro Puy voted no on entering. Council Member Amy Fowler was recorded absent for these votes.
What residents said
Fleet Block redevelopment and inclusion of marginalized firmsDisplacement and housing lossCouncil district boundaries