Council reviews budget amendment, $6 million affordable housing awards and a citywide water use limit

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 1 · Presentation

   Updates from the Administration

   Discussed

   Staff reported COVID-19 cases up 58 percent in two weeks, Virginia Street reconstruction design concepts online, 2023 ACE Fund applications, shelter and bed availability, planned encampment clean-ups at 4800 West and the Rio Grande area, and the annual homelessness candlelight vigil.

2. Item 2 · Presentation

   Equity update: Accessibility and Disability Commission annual report

   Discussed

   Staff reviewed the commission's first annual report: 12 of 15 commissioners appointed, codified February 2022, first meeting May 2022, meetings with City departments, and unfinished goals including citywide AIRA software, audio accessibility in theaters and pedestrian access.

3. Item 3 · Other

   State legislative briefing

   Discussed

   The City's lobbyist previewed 2023 legislative issues: changes to HB440, land use and housing, water, the Inland Port, railroad safety, airport liquor licenses and overlay zones, UTA free fares, red light and speed cameras, City micro loans, a statewide audit of redevelopment agencies, wildland-urban interface, public notice standards, retirement changes and a cemetery appropriation. Council Members discussed sponsors, 911 dispatchers as first responders, UTA fee caps, accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals.

4. Item 4 · Budget

   Budget Amendment No. 4, fiscal year 2022-23 follow-up

   Discussed

   Third briefing before the evening's hearing. Staff described a remaining $10,000 pilot giving RV owners vouchers to dispose of wastewater at designated sites instead of the Jordan River, and six new full-time employees (four in Public Lands, two in Finance). Item A-5, $4.35 million in parks impact fees for Glendale Regional Park phase one, had been planned for withdrawal after the parks bond passed, but Council Members said they no longer wished to withdraw it and wanted to modify it. Staff said the park must be built by 2024 and bond-funded review timelines would not allow that. Other items discussed included $38,509 for election awareness, $490,847 in re-scoped homelessness funds and $500,000 for Dee Glen tennis courts.

   • Budget$4.35 million Additional funding for Glendale Regional Park phase one. Paid from Parks impact fees
   • Budget$500,000 Dee Glen tennis court reconstruction. Paid from General Fund balance
   • Budget$10,000 Pilot vouchers for RV wastewater disposal

   Follow Glendale Regional Park in the development tracker →

5. Item 5 · Budget

   Resolution: $6 million deeply affordable housing grant awards

   Discussed

   Staff presented recommended awards of $6 million to create at least 100 new units of permanent supportive or transitional housing for tenants at or below 40 percent of area median income. Council Members discussed funding and timing for The Ville project, on-site staffing shortages and client-to-staff ratios. Council action was tentatively set for Dec. 13.

   • Grant$6.00 million Deeply affordable housing awards for at least 100 units. Application process with staff recommendations

6. Item 7 · Presentation

   Cultural Core and THE BLOCKS update

   Discussed

   Arts and economic development staff and the Downtown Alliance gave a year-five summary and year-six budget plan for the Cultural Core, a City-County agreement to promote downtown arts. Council Members asked whether UTA free fares for event attendees had been discussed.

7. Item 8 · Presentation

   Downtown Alliance update

   Discussed

   The Downtown Alliance, funded by a special assessment of downtown commercial properties, reviewed its ambassador program, Open Streets, markets, winter illuminations, small business support and 2023 initiatives including NBA All-Star Weekend planning. Council Members discussed office-to-housing conversions, daytime workers, street barriers and TRAX safety, a public market and murals.

8. Item 9 · Roads and utilities

   Salt Lake City Watershed Management Plan update

   Discussed

   Public Utilities staff described the engagement phase of an update to the plan protecting the City's Wasatch drinking water watersheds; no draft plan was presented. Council Members asked whether it was a full review or a refresh of the existing plan.

9. Item 10 · City code

   Ordinance: limits on new water availability

   Discussed

   Public Utilities presented an ordinance extending the 2021 land use rule that bars new commercial or industrial uses consuming more than an annual average of 200,000 gallons a day to the City's entire water service area, which extends into neighboring jurisdictions. Council Members discussed including the Northwest Quadrant.

10. Item 11 · Presentation

    Central Wasatch Commission update

    Discussed

    Commission staff updated the Council on the mountain transportation system, visitor use study, environmental dashboard, 2022 projects and the Central Wasatch National Conservation and Recreation Area Act, including its land exchange portion and watershed protection.

11. Item 12-15 · Appointment

    Board appointment interviews

    Discussed

    The Council interviewed David Quealy (Disciplinary Appeals Hearing Officer), Jess Bird (Airport Board) and Marti Woolford and Ebay Hamilton (Arts Council); all were slated for the consent agenda.

12. Other

    Closed session

    Approved · 5-0-1

    The Council voted 5-0 with one abstention to enter closed session for collective bargaining strategy, real property strategy and attorney-client matters. Council Member Puy abstained; the minutes give no reason. A motion to exit and adjourn passed 6-0.

    Moved by Council Member Wharton, seconded by Council Member Fowler to enter closed session. Vote: 5-0; Puy abstained

What residents said

Staffing at supportive housingGlendale Regional Park fundingWater use limits