Council gives straw-poll support to citywide parking changes and interviews police chief and public lands nominees
March 4, 2025, 2:00 p.m.
In a work session, the Council took straw polls in support of several citywide parking policy changes, including longer metering hours, higher meter rates and a switch to pay-by-plate. Members were also briefed on a proposed Yalecrest historic district, outdoor theaters in commercial zones, the water and snowpack outlook and a coffee shop loan, and interviewed nominees for police chief and Director of Public Lands.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Budget
Mayor's recommendations for FY2025-26 federal grant funding (CDBG, ESG, HOME, HOPWA)
Discussed
Mayor Erin Mendenhall summarized the One-Year Action Plan and said a fuller presentation would come at the formal meeting. Council Executive Director Jennifer Bruno reviewed the schedule and asked members to send questions to staff.
Item 3 · Zoning
Yalecrest-Upper Yale Local Historic District
Discussed
Planning staff briefed the Council on applying the H-Historic Overlay to 24 homes along both sides of Yale Avenue (about 1802 to 1885 East), creating a local historic district and updating the 2005 Yalecrest survey. Council members discussed delays caused by the contributing status of three homes, whether small districts are justified, effects of designation on residents and affordability, ADUs and duplexes (historic districts do not prevent ADUs, but lot size and base zoning apply), the effect of the proposed R-1 changes, and who can initiate historic district petitions.
- Petitioner: the applicant
- Council District 6
Item 4 · City code
Permitting outdoor theaters in commercial districts
Discussed
Staff presented an amendment to Title 21A that would permit live performance theaters, indoor or outdoor, in the CG General Commercial district and other fitting districts; currently only indoor live performance theaters are permitted. Members asked about fire code for temporary structures, buffer distances, and noise near residential areas.
Item 5 · Roads and utilities
Water and snowpack report
Discussed
Public Utilities briefed the Council on runoff, snowpack and water supply projections. Discussion covered water conservation and irrigation assistance programs, federal funding effects on staffing, climate change in long-range plans, 2025 wildfire mitigation plans, and HB 81 on removing fluoride from City water and how residents would be notified.
Item 6 · Contract
Economic Development Loan Fund: Cold Plunge Coffee, LLC
Discussed
The Council was briefed on a $100,000 loan to Cold Plunge Coffee, LLC at 475 East 300 South, which offers craft coffee and cold plunge therapy, expected to create nine jobs and retain one.
- Payment$100,000 to Cold Plunge Coffee, LLC
Item 8 · City code
Initial citywide parking policy discussion
Discussed
Three administration departments sought early Council guidance on parking policy changes. Straw polls, each supported by all members present: create an Event Parking Management program starting with the Fairpark area, then the University neighborhood; extend metering to evenings and Saturdays, raise meter rates and create variable pricing zones; convert from pay-by-space to pay-by-plate; raise citation fines, create targeted fines and a systematic violation citation; and update the code with a multi-year implementation schedule. On delivery service impacts, members favored a hybrid of two options and separating delivery from rideshare use (no vote taken) and asked staff for more research. Discussion also covered meter revenue, overnight semi-truck parking on the Westside and angled parking.
Item 9 · Appointment
Interview: Brian Redd for Salt Lake City Chief of Police
Discussed
The Council interviewed Brian Redd; Council Member Chris Wharton said his name would go on the consent agenda.
Item 10 · Appointment
Interview: Kim Shelley for Director of Public Lands
Discussed
The Council interviewed Kim Shelley; Council Member Wharton said her name would go on the consent agenda. Wharton left the meeting after this item.
Item 11-13 · Appointment
Interviews: board and commission nominees
Discussed
Interviews were held for James Alfandre and Eric Mcgill (Parks, Natural Lands, Urban Forestry, and Trails Advisory Board) and Richard Leverett (Planning Commission). Council Member Alejandro Puy said each name would go on the consent agenda.
What residents said
Cottonwood Park crime concernsParking policyHistoric district designation