Council hears clean audit report, fraud risk score of 375 of 395, and land use approval and alley vacation proposals
March 3, 2026, 2:00 p.m. · Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State Street
The work session covered the city's annual financial audit, the state fraud risk assessment, a text amendment on expiration of land use approvals and an alley vacation request. Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez arrived during the break after the alley item. A closed meeting followed.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Expiration of land use approvals text amendment | Discussed |
| Alley vacation east of Browning Avenue | Discussed |
| Annual financial audit report | Discussed |
| Report of the chair and vice chair | Discussed |
| Closed meeting | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Katie Riser reported on parks projects, traffic calming, construction of the 650 North bridge over the Jordan River Trail, West-East Connections events and projects on hold pending legislative clarity. Andrew Johnston reported a Homeless Resource Center utilization rate of 97.2%, updates on the Encampment Impact Mitigation and Rapid Response Team, a call for volunteers and a March 17 resource fair.
Item 2 · City code
Expiration of land use approvals text amendment
Discussed
Nick Norris presented amendments to Titles 20 and 21A expanding the actions an applicant may take to show they are implementing an approval with reasonable diligence under state law, so approvals do not stay valid indefinitely without progress. Staff said the change is administrative and would not require further council action except for certain final plat amendments involving streets, and discussed how often extensions are requested.
- Timeline: hearing Mar. 24; tentative action Apr. 7
Item 3 · Other
Alley vacation east of Browning Avenue
Discussed
Staff presented a petition to vacate part of a city-owned alley, which has been impassable between Browning Avenue and Sherman Avenue since a detached garage was built in 1958. The vacated section would be divided among abutting owners; the northern portion from Sherman Avenue would stay open. The Planning Commission gave a positive recommendation. Members expressed support and discussed how the petitioner might buy vacated portions from neighbors.
- Council District 5
- Timeline: hearing Mar. 24; tentative action Apr. 7
Item 4 · Budget
Annual financial audit report
Discussed
Mary Beth Thompson and Suzanne Swanson introduced the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the year ending June 30, 2025. Paul Skeen of the auditing firm Eide Bailly said the audit was completed on schedule and showed independence and strong collaboration with Finance. He noted areas for improvement in fleet work-in-process recordkeeping because of a system transition and in reconciliation processes, neither materially affecting the financial statements.
Item 5 · Presentation
State of Utah fraud risk assessment
Discussed
Staff presented the annual state-required fraud risk assessment, on which the city scored 375 of 395, noting areas for improvement including annual ethics commitments and training for governing body members. Members discussed separation of duties, cybersecurity and liability insurance, and the Fraud, Waste, and Abuse hotline. Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez asked for an assessment of liability coverage above the current $5 million; Council Member Alejandro Puy asked whether the State Auditor publishes scores to compare cities.
Item 6 · Other
Report of the chair and vice chair
Discussed
Council Member Erika Carlsen said council and administration staff were coordinating with community members to set up a working group on immigration, with details to follow.
Item 8 · Other
Closed meeting
Approved · 7-0
The council voted to enter a closed meeting to discuss deployment of security personnel, devices or systems and attorney-client matters. It ran from 3:04 p.m. to 3:46 p.m. and voted to exit.
What residents said
Cybersecurity and liability coverage