Council weighs enforcement of artificial turf cases, hears water outlook and climate plan, and reviews Budget Amendment No. 4
February 20, 2024, 2:00 p.m.
The council was briefed on the Yalecrest-Princeton Heights historic district, a rezone on Montgomery Street, a plan to transfer the city's Foreign-Trade Zone to World Trade Center Utah, the 2024 water outlook, a regional climate action plan, Budget Amendment No. 4 and a reserves analysis. Council members worked through how to handle 10 open artificial turf enforcement cases under the landscaping rewrite.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Administration updates
Discussed
Staff covered community engagement and Love Your Block applications opening March 1. Council Member Sarah Young asked about winding down the city-sanctioned camping; homelessness policy staff said the micro-shelter was a temporary project through May 2024, with a second phase on state-owned property planned around the same time, subject to state funding decisions.
Item 2 · Zoning
Yalecrest-Princeton Heights Local Historic District
Discussed
Planners presented a proposal to apply the H-Historic Overlay to 43 homes from about 1323 Princeton Avenue to 1500 East along Princeton Avenue. Both the Planning Commission and the Historic Landmark Commission forwarded positive recommendations. The petitioner said the district would contribute to density, diversity and compassion in the neighborhood.
- Petitioner: the applicant
- Homes: 43
- Council District 6
Item 3 · Zoning
Rezone at approximately 756 South Montgomery Street
Discussed
Planners described a request to rezone a city-held property in the Housing Stability Division portfolio from R-1/5,000 to RMF-30, with the goal of developing affordable housing consistent with the Westside Master Plan. The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation.
- Current zone to proposed: R-1/5,000 to RMF-30
- Council District 2
Item 4 · Presentation
Water and snowpack report
Discussed
The public utilities director reported above-normal snowpack, no listed drought in the region and expected watershed yields of 98%-112% of average. Deer Creek Reservoir was 96% full and the Great Salt Lake stood at 4193.4 feet. She said conservation was still needed. Council members asked about tracking the city's contributions to the lake and releases from Utah Lake, which staff said were roughly 480-500 cubic feet per second.
Item 5 · Other
Resolution to transfer Foreign-Trade Zone grantee authority
Discussed
City economic development staff and the CEO of World Trade Center Utah briefed a resolution transferring grantee status of Foreign-Trade Zone #30 to the nonprofit World Trade Center Utah, which has more staff capacity. The current operator is Specialized Bicycle Components; Albion Minerals is completing an application. Council Members Alejandro Puy and Eva Lopez Chavez expressed support, and Puy asked for regular reporting.
Item 6 · City code
Landscaping and Buffers chapter text amendment (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff said the last unresolved issue was enforcement for those who had already installed artificial turf: 10 open cases were paused. They said current code prohibits artificial turf in required front, corner side and buffer areas by administrative interpretation, while the amendments do not prohibit it in rear yards. Council members discussed fairness to those already made to comply and a sunset or remediation program; an assistant planning director said a sunset process would be complicated to enforce. Council Member Chris Wharton asked Public Utilities, the administration and the City Attorney's Office to look into enforcement options.
Item 8 · Presentation
Priority Climate Action Plan for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area
Discussed
Sustainability staff briefed the plan due to the EPA on March 1, 2024 covering Salt Lake and Tooele counties, which would open eligibility for implementation grants from a $4.6 billion national program with applications due April 1. Ideas gathered so far cover buildings, electricity, transportation, natural lands and wastewater. Council Member Victoria Petro asked that the council be treated as a stakeholder much earlier and suggested small group meetings. Council Member Darin Mano arrived during this item.
Item 9 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 4, fiscal 2023-24 (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff reviewed items including $49,000 for short-term rental identification software, Liberty Park greenhouse stabilization and entrance gates (about $31,000 ongoing for temporary greenhouse operations, $250,000 for repairs and $37,000 for gates), a $6 million placeholder to move dormant CDBG program income to the Grants Fund, $558,000 in public lands reallocations, $130,000 for Fire Station 1 perimeter fencing, $1.8 million ongoing police overtime and $250,000 to replace two traffic signals damaged in accidents. Council Member Petro raised the need for a capital asset management plan for historic assets. A straw poll supported the $6 million CDBG item (Council Members Puy and Mano absent for the poll).
- Purchase$49,000
- Budget$1.80 million
- Budget$250,000
- Budget$130,000
Item 10 · Presentation
Financial risks and reserves analysis
Discussed
A consultant from the Government Finance Officers Association presented a risk-based analysis of the General Fund reserve, using a Monte Carlo simulation. He said the city had a relatively small chance of reaching a critical threshold in coming years and reserves were simulated to remain stable over ten years. Next steps include the council and administration setting a preferred reserve level and considering a reserve policy.
Item 11 · Presentation
State legislative briefing
Discussed
Staff reported tracking 277 bills and discussed HB 562 on the Fairpark area, homelessness bills HB 298 and HB 421, homeownership bills HB 572 and SB 268, and religious freedom bill SB 150.
Item 12 · Appointment
Racial Equity in Policing Commission appointment interviews
Discussed
The council interviewed seven candidates (Alex Vandiver, Chloe Raymundo, Detria Taylor, Diya Oommen, Heather Stringfellow, Jason Hinojosa, Rodrigo Fernandez-Esquivias). Council Member Petro said all names were on the consent agenda.
Other
Motion to enter closed session
Approved · 7-0
The council voted 7-0 to enter a closed session on security personnel, devices or systems and attorney-client matters, and 7-0 to exit. It ran 5:25 to 5:55 p.m.
What residents said
Artificial turf enforcementGreat Salt LakeCouncil role in climate plan