Council backs Upper Yale historic district process and $300,000 family hotel plan; splits on legislative division staffing
December 5, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
In straw polls, the Council supported moving the Upper Yale local historic district process forward, a $300,000 winter family hotel plan with The Road Home and a street mill-and-overlay pilot, and the first two positions for a new Legislative Division in the City Attorney's Office, while splitting 3-3 on two support staff positions. It also was briefed on Budget Amendment No. 3, the landscaping and buffers text amendment and Justice Court recertification. Council Member Darin Mano noted this was his last meeting as chair.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Local historic district report: Upper Yale | Discussed |
| Recertifying the Salt Lake City Justice Court | Discussed |
| Budget Amendment No. 3 for fiscal year 2023-24 | Discussed |
| Landscaping and buffers chapter text amendment | Discussed |
| Board appointment interviews | Discussed |
| Closed session | Approved · 5-0-2 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Staff reported on park engagement for Steenblik, North Gate, Warm Springs and Allen parks, the UTA TechLink TRAX study, delays to 1300 East and 1100 East construction, a winter clothing drive and homelessness items including the Dec. 9 ribbon cutting for the medically vulnerable population shelter, which was to open for 165 residents in January 2024. Public Lands planning manager Tom Millar gave updates on parks projects and the Parks, Trails and Open Space Bond and Sales Tax Revenue Bond; the Council asked that a bond update be added as a standalone agenda item.
Item 2 · Zoning
Local historic district report: Upper Yale
Discussed
Planning staff presented the director's report for the proposed Upper Yale Local Historic District, covering Yale Avenue from about 1800 East to 1900 East, and asked the Council to accept it so the designation process can continue. Members asked where the Laird Avenue district stood and about the purpose of the Council's decision at this point. All members present supported moving the process forward in a straw poll.
- Council straw poll: all members present in favor of continuing the process
Item 3 · Other
Recertifying the Salt Lake City Justice Court
Discussed
Judge Clemens Landau said the resolution is a standard recertification that all justice courts undergo every four years, with a Dec. 15 submission deadline. Council members and a senior city attorney discussed the Council's authority to grant it.
Item 4 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 3 for fiscal year 2023-24
Discussed
Staff said the amendment has 31 items, $3,103,054 in revenues and $15,244,714 in expenditures, of which $1,718,732 comes from General Fund balance, across eight funds. It includes four new paramedic positions in the Fire Department ($160,519 from General Fund balance), four positions for a new Legislative Division in the City Attorney's Office and one Finance position funded with Community Development Block Grants. Members asked why positions were requested now instead of in the regular budget cycle and asked for follow-up on the paramedic roles. Straw polls: all members present supported the Legislative Division director and senior attorney; the two support staff positions drew support from Council Members Dugan, Wharton and Young and opposition from Valdemoros, Petro and Mano; all present supported $300,000 from the General Fund for The Road Home's family hotel winter interim plan and the $205,177 mill and overlay pilot for street maintenance (item A-15), described as an emergency.
- Budget$160,519 to Salt Lake City Fire Department
- Grant$300,000 to The Road Home
- Budget$205,177
Item 5 · City code
Landscaping and buffers chapter text amendment
Discussed
Planner Nannette Larsen presented a rewrite of Title 21A's landscaping and buffers chapter to cut water use, expand the tree canopy, reduce heat island effects and stormwater runoff, improve air quality, limit rock mulch and simplify standards. Further discussion was set for the Dec. 12 work session, with a hearing Jan. 9, 2024.
- Hearing set for Jan. 9, 2024
Item 6-7 · Appointment
Board appointment interviews
Discussed
The Council interviewed Matt Gray (Transportation Advisory Board) and J. Clair Baldwin (Citizens Compensation Advisory Committee). Council Member Darin Mano said both would be on the consent agenda.
Item 10 · Other
Closed session
Approved · 5-0-2
The Council voted 6-0 to enter a closed session for advice of counsel on attorney-client matters (4:55 to 6:09 p.m.), with Council Member Alejandro Puy absent for that vote. The vote to exit and adjourn was 5-0, with Council Members Victoria Petro and Sarah Young abstaining.
What residents said
Winter shelter and Code BlueTiming of new staff positions