Council gets 90-minute briefing on Thriving in Place anti-displacement plan
September 12, 2023, 4:00 p.m. · City & County Building, Salt Lake City
The council spent most of its work session on the Thriving in Place anti-displacement plan, which would be adopted into the city's general plan and replace the Housing Loss Mitigation Ordinance. It also heard a drought and water supply update, briefings on two alley vacations in Council District 7, and interviewed three appointees. Council Members Darin Mano and Alejandro Puy left around 6:04 p.m., and the council voted 5-0 to go into a closed session for legal advice.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration and drought and water supply update
Discussed
Staff gave the regular engagement and homelessness updates, including a September 22 Jordan River event. Public Utilities Director Laura Briefer reviewed drought and climate status, city water supply and demand, and fall conservation tips.
Item 2 · General plan
Thriving in Place anti-gentrification and displacement plan
Discussed
Staff presented the plan, which would be adopted as part of the general plan, covering its analysis of displacement, an action framework, three city action teams, two partnership platforms, a two-year action plan, and replacement of the Housing Loss Mitigation Ordinance with a Community Benefit Policy. The planning commission and community feedback were summarized. Members discussed state-level advocacy, working with other cities, renter application fees, costs to the general fund and other possible funders, implementation timing, the state's three-day pay-or-quit policy and whether the Good Landlord program could help, and a possible short-term rental tax for affordable housing.
Item 3 · Appointment
Advice and consent: 911 Dispatch executive director (Lisa Kehoe)
Discussed
The council interviewed Lisa Kehoe for 911 Dispatch Executive Director; her name was placed on the consent agenda.
Item 4 · Appointment
Board appointment: Police Civilian Review Board (Elizabeth Hanna)
Discussed
The council interviewed Elizabeth Hanna for a term ending September 7, 2026; her name was placed on the consent agenda.
Item 5 · Appointment
Board appointment: Transportation Advisory Board (Isaac Astill)
Discussed
The council interviewed Isaac Astill for a term ending September 28, 2026; his name was placed on the consent agenda.
Item 7 · Other
Alley vacation off Wilmington Avenue near 800 East
Discussed
Staff described a petition to vacate part of a city-owned alley next to properties on the 800 block of East Wilmington Avenue. The alley segment has long served as a driveway and is blocked by a gate, the remaining section is covered by a separate petition, and an existing utility agreement would remain. Planning recommended approval. Members asked who would own the vacated land and about community response.
Item 8 · Other
Alley vacation off Wilmington and Elm Avenues near 827 East
Discussed
A second petition would vacate another alley segment and divide it among abutting owners on Wilmington and Elm Avenues. Staff said fences and grade changes already make it impassable to vehicles, vehicle access to properties closer to 900 East would not change, and planning recommended approval. Members asked what would happen if the petition were denied and about access; the applicant said the alley is not needed for getting around because TRAX is a block away, and owners on both sides favored the vacation.
Other
Closed session
Approved · 5-0
On a motion by Council Member Chris Wharton, seconded by Council Member Daniel Dugan, the council voted 5-0 to enter closed session for attorney-client advice. Council Members Puy and Mano joined at 7:44 p.m.; the session ran from 7:15 to 7:55 p.m.