Council briefed on clean energy opt-out program, camping rules rewrite, 109-unit 800 East project and library bond options
April 14, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
The City Council's April 14 work session was made up of briefings, with no formal votes except a closed-meeting motion. Staff presented a Community Clean Energy opt-out program, a rewrite of camping and sidewalk-obstruction rules, a proposed rezoning for a 109-unit mixed-use building near 800 East and 400 South, and the library's budget and bond options. Council members also agreed by straw poll to add $255,000 for First Step House and move $30,000 to Ruff Haven in the federal and local housing grant allocations.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · City code
Community Clean Energy Program ordinance
Discussed
Staff described a proposal to enact Title 9, Chapter 50 of the city code so nearly all homes and businesses in the city would be automatically enrolled in the Community Clean Energy program (Utah Renewable Communities) through their Rocky Mountain Power bill, with the option to opt out. Staff covered proposed rates, opt-out rules, low-income benefits, implementation timelines and a Budget Amendment No. 5 request for startup costs. Council members voiced support. Staff clarified that a $30 termination fee would go to Rocky Mountain Power to help stabilize rates, with a 60-day notice period before it applies to customers moving in or out of participating communities.
- Fee$30 to Rocky Mountain Power
- Proposed: new Title 9, Chapter 50, Salt Lake City Code
- Public hearing set for April 21 at 7 p.m.
Item 2 · City code
Camping and obstructing public property, and park rules text amendment
Discussed
Andrew Johnston, the city's homelessness policy director, presented an updated definition of camping and consolidated rules on camping on public grounds, streets, parks and playgrounds, park hours, unclaimed property and sidewalk obstruction, including overnight vehicle camping. Police Commander Jared Gilbert was available for questions. Council members discussed enforcement criteria, exceptions such as parade routes, alternative response teams, shelter and outreach options, and success measures such as response times and connections to services. Some members raised concern that enforcement might move encampments rather than resolve homelessness and about criminalizing homelessness; staff said the ordinance addresses vehicle camping and aims for consistent enforcement. Council Member Young asked for a future discussion on how success measures would be shared with residents.
- Public hearing tentatively May 5; council action tentatively May 19
Item 3 · Zoning
Master plan and zoning map amendment at 346, 350, 354 and 370 South 800 East and 775 East 400 South
Discussed
Planner Grant Amann presented a request to rezone three parcels on 800 East from RMF-35 to MU-5 and change the Central Community Plan future land use map for the block to High Density Transit Oriented Development. It would allow a mixed-use building with 109 residential units (2-, 3- and 4-bedroom) and ground-floor commercial space, replacing three buildings that contain seven apartments. The Planning Commission recommended the zoning change but recommended the council deny the future land use map amendment. Representatives of the owner, Hardage Hospitality, and its architect answered questions on commercial space and tenants, commercial vacancy along 400 South, traffic, replacing existing housing, and how community benefits could be written into a development agreement.
- Petitioner: Sean Thompson, Elliott Workgroup Architecture, for owner Hardage Hospitality
- Current zone → proposed: RMF-35 → MU-5; future land use to High Density Transit Oriented Development
- Units: 109 residential plus ground-floor commercial; seven existing apartments to be replaced
- Council District 4
Item 4 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 proposed budget: Salt Lake City Public Library System
Discussed
Library CEO Noah Baskett and CFO Tyler Bahr presented the library's recommended operating and capital budget, usage statistics and two bond options: a general obligation bond that would include a full-size Ballpark branch, or a smaller Local Building Authority bond focused on the Anderson-Foothill and Day-Riverside branches. The library recommends the smaller LBA bond and would pursue the Ballpark branch through other funding and phasing. Council Member Petro asked for a comparison of tax impacts of larger and smaller bonding scenarios, which the library agreed to provide. Executive Director Jennifer Bruno said LBA bonds cost somewhat more than GO bonds but are still cost-effective financing.
Item 5 · Presentation
Salt Lake County Council presentation
Discussed
County Council Chair Aimee Winder Newton, with County Council members Suzanne Harrison and Ross Romero, briefed the council on county services, budget structure, property tax funding and public safety spending, including the Metro Jail expansion, the Oxbow Jail closure and changes to county-operated childcare. Discussion covered planned upgrades and long-term rebuilding of the 10th East Senior Center, deferred maintenance, resident confusion over city and county responsibilities, effects of the childcare closures on working families on the Westside, and county homelessness, mental health and jail diversion work.
Item 6 · Budget
Fiscal Year 2026-27 federal housing grants and Funding Our Future housing allocations (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff gave a follow-up on allocating about $11.3 million in HUD grants (CDBG, ESG, HOME, HOPWA) and local Funding Our Future housing money. HOME and HOPWA came in above projections and CDBG and ESG below, which reduced allocations to Community Development Corporation of Utah and The Road Home. By straw poll, all council members supported giving First Step House an additional $255,000 for housing case management from Funding Our Future fund balance in a future budget amendment, and moving $30,000 from Utah Community Action to Ruff Haven for housing services for people with pets. Members also discussed the sustainability of supplemental awards, and Council Member Puy asked staff for options for a future Funding Our Future allocation process.
- Grant$255,000 to First Step House
- Grant$30,000 to Ruff Haven
Item 10 · Other
Closed meeting motion
Approved · 7-0
The council voted to enter a closed meeting to discuss deployment of security personnel, devices or systems.
What residents said
Commercial vacancy on 400 SouthTraffic near the 800 East projectReplacing existing housingEnforcement of camping rulesProperty tax impact of library bonds