Council straw-polls parks bond and sales tax bond projects, hears gender equity ordinance and Ballpark Station Area Plan briefings
July 12, 2022, 2:00 p.m. · Hybrid meeting
Council members straw-polled unanimous support for the parks and public lands general obligation bond with changes to Allen Park, neighborhood parks and the Fleet Block, and for most sales tax revenue bond items except Warm Springs Plunge, Fisher Mansion and Pioneer Park, which they will revisit in September. They were briefed on a proposed gender equity ordinance, the Thriving in Place anti-displacement plan and the Ballpark Station Area Plan. A capital improvement program follow-up was postponed.
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 watering updates, community engagement highlights and a homelessness update. Council Member Victoria Petro-Eschler asked about westside residents lacking basic needs; the homelessness policy director said about 400 people had been identified as needing help this winter, one-time stimulus funding for motel rooms had expired, and year-round housing was needed. Council Member Alejandro Puy said District 2 constituents reported violence and harassment related to homelessness. Police leaders described added patrols and 146 contacts in 60 hours on Main Street near 300 South, and a possible police station at 280 South Main. Council Member Ana Valdemoros asked for more patrols near the Geraldine King Women's Center and in the North Temple/800 West area; the deputy chief said staffing was strained and calls for service rising.
Item 2 · Presentation
Equity update
Discussed
Equity staff introduced the Office of Equity and Inclusion team and said Salt Lake City was the first Utah municipality to join the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, giving over 3,000 employees portal access. They gave updates on the Racial Equity in Policing Commission and Human Rights Commission, both in summer recess until August.
Item 3 · City code
Ordinance: CEDAW and gender equity (new Chapter 10.08)
Discussed
Staff briefed a proposed ordinance requiring an intersectional gender analysis every five years, naming the Chief Equity Officer as oversight with the Human Rights Commission, recommending funding for the analysis and requiring a compensation policy for equal pay for equal work. Council Member Amy Fowler said she wanted the analysis done more often than every five years. Council Member Darin Mano asked how gender equity for transgender employees would be addressed; staff said a separate process would bring that to the council. Council Member Chris Wharton thanked those who worked on the ordinance. Council action was tentatively set for July 19.
Item 4 · Budget
General Obligation Bond and Sales Tax Revenue Bond resolution
Discussed
Council members straw-polled unanimous support to set Allen Park at $4.5 million, fund at least one neighborhood park, trail or open space per council district at $10.5 million, and raise the Fleet Block from $5 million to $6 million, with the rest of the GO bond as proposed. Staff said about $27 million would allow a significant impact at Glendale Regional Park, which is at the vision-plan stage. Council Members Fowler and Mano spoke for public-private partnerships and preservation easements to protect city assets; Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the city should not invest so much in boarded buildings that their future use becomes fixed. For the sales tax bond, a unanimous straw poll approved all administration-recommended items except Warm Springs Plunge, Fisher Mansion and Pioneer Park, to be revisited with Glendale Regional Park improvements in September. Staff said $3 million for Smith's Ballpark upgrades meets the city's lease obligation to reach Major League player development standards by 2024.
- Bond$4.50 million
- Bond$10.5 million
- Bond$6.00 million
- Budget$3.00 million
Item 5 · Budget
Capital Improvement Program overview follow-up
No action
This item was postponed to a future meeting.
Item 7 · Presentation
Thriving in Place anti-gentrification and displacement plan update
Discussed
Community and Neighborhoods staff and consultants reported on engagement results, including seven youth workshops with more than 200 participants. Key findings were that displacement was worsening, there were not enough affordable units for low-income families, and half of city households were rent burdened. Staff said the city spent $24.5 million over two years to stabilize rent and the council approved $20.1 million toward housing last year. Council Member Valdemoros asked about coordination with the RDA. Anti-displacement strategies were planned to return in September 2022.
Item 8 · General plan
Midpoint check-in on the Ballpark Station Area Plan
Discussed
Planning staff described the small-area plan for roughly 900 South to 1700 South and State Street to I-15, including a transit-supportive zone, a redesigned TRAX station area, pedestrian improvements on 1300 South, a West Temple festival street and new bike routes. The Planning Commission was to review the plan July 27, 2022, with council review and possible adoption in summer through fall.
Item 9 · Contract
Resolution: Transit Master Plan interlocal agreement with the Utah Transit Authority
Discussed
The council received a written briefing on two adjustments to the 20-year interlocal agreement with UTA: credits to the city for COVID-era service reductions, and service for Frequent Transit Network routes on 200 South, 900 South, 2100 South and a new route on 1000 North/South Temple. No discussion was held; action was tentatively set for July 19.
Item 10 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews: Transportation Advisory Board and Human Rights Commission
Discussed
The council interviewed Johnnae Nardone and Leo Masic for the Transportation Advisory Board (terms ending September 29, 2025) and Olivia A. Jaramillo for the Human Rights Commission (term ending December 20, 2026). All three names were on the consent agenda.
What residents said
HomelessnessPublic safety on Main StreetDisplacementParks bond projects