Council straw polls favor $500,000 for public restrooms, 20 mph signs and $2 million for Livable Streets during budget work session
June 4, 2024, 1:00 p.m.
The Council briefed on a 0.82-acre rezone on 900 West, the consolidated fee schedule, the 911, Fire and Fleet budgets and a $350,000 loan for Shades of Pale brewery, then worked through unresolved budget issues by straw poll. Members backed noise enforcement equipment, changing 25 mph signs to 20 mph by a 4-2 poll, $500,000 for restroom facilities, and $2 million for Livable Streets from Funding Our Future fund balance.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Staff reviewed community engagement events, homeless resource center utilization, encampment mitigation updates, a June 14 resource fair at Pioneer Park, and a planned July move of the micro shelter center.
Item 2 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at 1544 and 1550 South 900 West
Discussed
Planning staff briefed the Council on rezoning two vacant parcels totaling 0.82 acres from R-1/7,000 single-family to RMF-30 low-density multifamily. The applicant's narrative included a draft site plan for townhomes, but no development plans were submitted. A hearing was set for July 2 with tentative action July 9.
- Applicant: Paul Garbett (Garbett Homes), for the property owners
- Acres: 0.82
- Current zone → proposed: R-1/7,000 → RMF-30
- Council District 2
Item 3 · Taxes and fees
Consolidated fee schedule amendments for fiscal year 2024-25
Discussed
Chief Financial Officer Mary Beth Thompson reviewed the cost analysis behind the fee schedule. Council Members asked for fees and alternatives where sidewalk and lane closures during construction must keep access open, suggested a sweat-equity credit for youth leagues that help maintain sports fields, and asked whether vending cart and food truck permit fees could be reduced, with a decision awaiting review of the mobile business ordinance.
Item 4 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: 911 Department
Discussed
911 Director Lisa Kehoe and staff presented training, peer support and overtime posting changes. Council Members asked about tracking mental health calls and mobile crisis outreach team dispatches, requested more information on calls needing mental health help, and discussed recruiting and keeping dispatchers.
Item 5 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Fire Department
Discussed
Fire Chief Karl Lieb presented medical response paramedic service increases, contract and inflation increases, a narcotics inventory system and light fleet partnerships. Members discussed electric vehicles, how engine size is chosen for calls, and the roles of the alternative response teams.
Item 7 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: Fleet Fund
Discussed
Staff said the requested 42 percent replacement covered 2.6 percent of the fleet. Members discussed the cost of replacement and maintenance, electric vehicles and charging stations, federal funding, leasing, and possible funding from impact fees and Funding Our Future dollars.
Item 8 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: unresolved issues and straw polls
Discussed · 4-2
Council staff reviewed open budget items and the Council took straw polls. Support was unanimous among members present for purchasing noise enforcement equipment ($50,000), for general increased Public Lands maintenance funding with the Administration to return with a plan or contract, for $500,000 for restroom facilities, for adding $2 million to the Livable Streets project from Funding Our Future fund balance, and for budget cleanup items 35 through 37. A poll to change 25 mph signs to 20 mph passed 4-2: Council Members Chris Wharton, Daniel Dugan, Eva Lopez Chavez and Alejandro Puy voted aye, Darin Mano voted maybe, and Victoria Petro and Sarah Young voted nay. Members also discussed Jordan River water quality studies, adding historic district signs as a legislative intent, Fleet Fund needs including a $3.5 million figure, and new staff positions. Council Member Lopez Chavez said there may be room to consolidate communication positions and wanted data before approving another; Jill Love said the city has 111 employees in communications positions.
- Budget$500,000
- Budget$2.00 million
- Purchase$50,000
- Budget$20,000
Item 9 · Contract
Economic Development Loan Fund: Shades of Pale at 1388 South 300 West
Discussed
Economic development staff presented a $350,000 loan at a 10.5 percent fixed rate over seven years to Shades of Pale, Inc., a local microbrewer with regional distribution, to create 10 jobs in the next year and keep 11. Council Member Darin Mano expressed excitement for the project. Tentative action was listed for June 4.
- Contract$350,000 to Shades of Pale, Inc.
Item 10 · Appointment
Board appointment: City and County Building Conservation and Use Committee
Discussed
The Council interviewed Karen Ferguson for a term ending July 17, 2028. Council Member Victoria Petro said her name would go on the consent agenda.
Other
Closed session motion
Approved · 7-0
The Council voted to enter closed session for collective bargaining strategy and attorney-client matters, and later to exit and adjourn.
What residents said
Jordan River water qualityPublic restroomsTraffic calming and speed limitsNoise enforcement