Council begins review of Council pay ordinance and hears emergency plan, Allen Park reuse plan and driveway standards briefings

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 1 · Presentation

   Updates from the Administration

   Discussed

   Mayor Mendenhall presented on Critical Connection and Healing Salt Lake City's East-West Divide; Council Members asked about next steps, the request-for-proposal timeline and contractor approval. Staff also gave community engagement and homelessness updates.

2. Item 2 · City code

   Driveway and loading area standards text amendments

   Discussed

   Planners presented a proposal to amend Title 21A driveway and loading area standards to correct identified issues, meet vehicle needs and support good urban design.

3. Item 3 · Other

   Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan

   Discussed

   Fire department staff and the city attorney's office presented the plan that guides response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation in a disaster and coordination with Salt Lake County and the state. Council Members thanked staff for preparing plans for multiple scenarios.

4. Item 4 · Parks

   Draft Allen Park Adaptive Reuse and Management Plan

   Discussed

   Public Lands presented the draft plan for Allen Park, acquired by the city in March 2020, with the concept 'Arts and Sciences in the Wild' that combines ecological improvements, existing art and historic preservation. Council Member Young asked for a proposal on balancing parking at neighboring entities and neighborhoods and on programming versus maintenance and security budgets.

5. Item 5 · Budget

   Budget Amendment No. 1 for FY2024-25 follow-up

   Discussed

   Staff reported that Public Lands confirmed an item's funding was sufficient and asked to spread it over several years, and described a one-time transfer of $329,150 from the Transportation Fund balance to the General Fund. Council Members supported complaint-based weed abatement. State homeless shelter grant funding was lower than last year while requests rose. Council asked for clear information on tree planting, traffic calming near Sunnyside Avenue considering the baseball field and schools, and a timeframe for funding police needs.

   Follow Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment No. 1 in the development tracker →

6. Item 6 · Appointment

   Sister Cities Advisory Board appointment: Jane Kim

   Discussed

   Council interviewed Jane Kim for a term ending July 3, 2028. Council Member Petro said the name would be on the consent agenda.

7. Item 7 · Other

   Council compensation discussion follow-up

   Discussed

   Council Member Petro said the discussion was a review of the earlier ordinance tying Council pay to the Mayor's and asked for more time. Council Member Mano supported adjusting compensation but noted the research needed to update the ordinance so a more diverse group could run. Council Member Wharton proposed replacing the current ordinance with a new one. Council Member Puy supported creating an ordinance that better reflects community needs. Council Member Young wanted a legislative intent and formal proposal with public input. Council Member Dugan said members were currently appropriately compensated and agreed a proposal was needed. Council Member Lopez Chavez wanted to continue the conversation so future generations have equal opportunity to serve.

8. Item 10 · Other

   Closed session

   Approved · 7-0

   Council voted unanimously to enter Closed Session B for attorney-client matters and then to exit. Closed Session A was held earlier in the Redevelopment Agency meeting.

   Moved by Council Member Wharton, seconded by Council Member Dugan. Vote: 7-0

What residents said

Council compensation