Council hears capital improvement and finance budget briefings, straw-polls staffing and a 6.2% fee increase
June 7, 2022, 1:00 p.m. · Hybrid meeting
Council members spent most of the afternoon on the fiscal year 2022-23 budget, hearing a capital improvement program overview and a Finance Department briefing before working through unresolved issues. Straw polls favored dropping a Fisher Mansion carriage house coordinator position, keeping all requested Public Services positions and raising city fees by 6.2%. The council also interviewed five board appointees. The minutes were 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
Mayor Erin Mendenhall gave COVID-19 and lawn-watering updates, noting Utah cases were up 27% in the past 14 days. Staff described community engagement on road and waterline projects, including the 300 North and Virginia Street reconstructions and the State Street waterline. Homelessness staff reported shelter occupancy, a new Rapid Intervention Team for small camps, upcoming abatements at Fairmont Park and the 1300 South ballpark, and a June 10 resource fair at Liberty Park.
Item 2 · Presentation
Equity update
Discussed
Equity staff reported on Pride Month and the new June 20 Juneteenth holiday, Human Rights Commission and Racial Equity in Policing Commission work, and the new Accessibility and Disability Commission. They also covered language access policy, and the city's application for certification as a Welcoming City.
Item 3 · Budget
Fiscal year 2022-23 budget: Capital Improvement Program overview
Discussed
Staff briefed the council on the capital program, including an $80 million parks and public lands general obligation bond, a $63 million sales tax revenue bond and about $33 million in proposed projects. The mayor recommended about $27 million for 20 of 88 applications, which requested $72 million, plus $18.05 million in ongoing expenses; four constituent applications were recommended for $2.3 million. Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler asked about a policy for vacant city buildings and said she opposed funding them. Council Member Alejandro Puy asked for a dashboard feature showing stalled projects. Council Member Amy Fowler asked about spending $14 million in parks impact fees before they expire, and Council Member Darin Mano said he wanted bond and capital money spread equitably, especially toward neighborhoods with less park access.
- Bond$80.0 million
- Bond$63.0 million
- Budget$27.0 million
Item 4 · Budget
Fiscal year 2022-23 budget: Finance Department
Discussed
Finance staff described department initiatives and requests, including new positions, budgeting software, an external IT audit and a purchasing outreach program for diverse and local businesses. Council Member Puy asked whether landlords in the Good Landlord Program must tell tenants about the program; staff said no but could add language to landlord agreements. Council Member Fowler asked for a small-group talk on educating landlords about past restrictive covenants.
Item 6 · Budget
Fiscal year 2022-23 budget: unresolved issues follow-up
Discussed
Council staff and administration reviewed American Rescue Plan Act-eligible projects, new positions by department, and fee increases tied to inflation (6.2% using April 2022 figures rather than 4.6% from October 2021). Council members raised the need for a Sorensen Phase II study before deciding on a $10 million early childhood social impact bond, and discussed raising some rather than all fees. Council Member Petro-Eschler said she was open to the investment but not confident the research captured westside residents' needs, and Council Member Puy wanted to review financing options. Council Member Fowler proposed a legislative intent on grant-funded programs that later fall to the General Fund. Straw polls: not to support the Fisher Mansion carriage house coordinator position and to approve only one Parks and Public Lands position (all in favor); support for all requested Public Services positions (all present in favor; Fowler absent for the vote); raise all city fees by 6.2% (all present in favor except Fowler, opposed); and review the Consolidated Fee Schedule as a legislative intent (all present in favor).
Item 7 · Appointment
Board appointment interview: Racial Equity in Policing Commission, Lisia Satini
Discussed
The council interviewed Lisia Satini for a term ending December 30, 2024. Council Member Daniel Dugan said the name was on the consent agenda for formal consideration.
Item 9 · Appointment
Board appointment interview: Arts Council, Thomas Kessinger
Discussed
The council interviewed Thomas Kessinger for a term ending June 7, 2025. His name was on the consent agenda.
Item 10 · Appointment
Board appointment interview: Sugar House Park Authority Board of Trustees, Siavash Ghaffari
Discussed
The council interviewed Siavash Ghaffari for a term ending June 7, 2026. His name was on the consent agenda.
Item 11 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews: Mosquito Abatement District, Amanda Barth and Shireen Mooers
Discussed
The council interviewed two candidates for the Mosquito Abatement District Board, Amanda Barth (item 11) and Shireen Mooers (item 12). Both names were slated for a future consent agenda. The interview with Janis Bennion for the Housing Authority (item 8) was not held.
What residents said
Vacant city buildingsParks impact feesFee increasesGood Landlord Program