Council reviews landscaping rules, budget amendment and new legislative staff; straw poll backs four positions 5-1
December 12, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
In a work session, the council heard briefings on the airport board ordinance, the proposed Landscaping and Buffers code rewrite and Budget Amendment No. 3. A straw poll supported creating and funding four new Legislative Division positions in the City Attorney's Office, 5-1. The council also interviewed board appointees and held a closed session.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Administration updates: 600/700 North reconstruction, winter shelter and Micro Temporary Shelter
Discussed
Administration staff reported that a stakeholder meeting on the 600/700 North reconstruction was held Dec. 12, with the basic design to be shown publicly in January 2024. Homelessness policy staff said the Homeless Resource Center was at 99% capacity, the Micro Temporary Shelter Community would open as soon as possible, and a 165-resident medically vulnerable site run with The Road Home and 4th Street Clinic would open in December or January. Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Council Member Darin Mano thanked staff for their work on the micro shelter.
Item 2 · City code
Airport Board code revisions
Discussed
Airport officials said the amendments to Salt Lake City Code section 2.14 (Airport Board) and 2.07.020 would clarify the board's role and set down current processes. They said the existing code was outdated and needed to match current law.
Item 3 · City code
Landscaping and Buffers chapter text amendment (follow-up)
Discussed
Planning and public utilities staff reviewed the goals of rewriting Title 21A landscaping rules: water conservation, a larger tree canopy, less heat island effect and better stormwater handling. Topics included turf limits, a Planning Commission recommendation to prohibit artificial turf, park strip grass and tree sizes, and rock and rubber mulch limits. Council members asked for more research on rock mulch, projected versus actual tree canopy and the data behind turf limits; Council Member Sarah Young raised possible community concern about turf at recreation areas. Planning Director Nick Norris asked that park strip vegetation height be addressed and suggested a 22-inch limit.
Item 4 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 3, fiscal year 2023-24 (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff reviewed items including a $750,000 mill and overlay pilot, $300,000 from general fund balance for The Road Home's family hotel winter plan, and $4.2 million returned to the Information Management Services fund for equipment. Council members voiced concern about creating new positions and a new division mid-year and asked how the Legislative Division staff would spend time outside the legislative session. Staff said the ordinance would add accountability of the division director to the council. In a straw poll, the council supported creating and funding all four new Legislative Division positions, 5-1; Council Member Ana Valdemoros was opposed and Council Member Alejandro Puy was absent for the poll.
- Budget$750,000
- Budget$300,000 to The Road Home
- Budget$4.20 million
Item 5 · Appointment
Planning Commission appointment: Brian Scott
Discussed
The council interviewed Brian Scott for a term ending Dec. 12, 2027. Council Member Darin Mano recused himself because he works at the same architectural firm as the appointee. Council Member Victoria Petro said the appointment would go on the consent agenda.
Item 6-7 · Appointment
Arts Council Board appointments: Lana Taylor and Sabrina Martinez
Discussed
The council interviewed both candidates for terms ending Dec. 12, 2026. Council Member Mano said each name would be on the consent agenda.
Item 8 · Appointment
Airport Board appointment: Luz Escamilla
No action
The interview was not held and was to be rescheduled.
Other
Motion to enter closed session
Approved · 7-0
The council voted 7-0 to enter a closed session on pending or imminent litigation, deployment of security personnel and devices, and attorney-client matters, then voted 6-0 to exit (Council Member Valdemoros absent for the second vote). The security portion ran 6:00-6:11 p.m. and the litigation and attorney-client portion began at 6:15 and ended at 6:31 p.m.
What residents said
Legislative Division staffing mid-yearArtificial turfWinter shelter capacity