Sandy council votes 4-3 to direct staff to fold three members' budget amendments into the FY 2020-21 budget, after hours of public comment
June 9, 2020, 5:15 p.m. · Online meeting (Sandy City Council, 10000 Centennial Parkway)
The council voted 4-3 to direct staff to incorporate a memo of budget amendments from Council Members Kris Coleman-Nicholl, Marci Houseman and Alison Stroud, leaving out its first item on vacant positions. About 30 residents and public safety staff commented, most opposing the proposal or supporting public safety pay and staffing. The council also continued a solar carports code amendment and heard budget and federal-update presentations. The meeting ended at 12:13 a.m.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Federal update from the city lobbyist
Discussed
Lobbyist Bill Simmons discussed congressional activity on the CARES Act and HEROES Act and answered council questions. No vote was taken.
Item 2 · Budget
FY 2020-21 tentative budgets: Community Development, Public Works, Public Utilities
Discussed
James Sorensen, Mike Gladbach and Tom Ward presented. The item paused for citizen comment at 6:05 p.m. and resumed at 6:10 p.m. No vote was taken.
Item 3 · Other
Consent calendar and June 2 minutes
Approved · 7-0
The consent calendar passed with all seven members voting yes; the June 2 minutes were approved. The mover and seconder are not recorded.
Item 4 · City code
Solar carports amendment to the SD(Harada) zone (CODE-04-20)
Continued · 7-0
Council Office Director Mike Applegarth recommended a continuance because the ordinance was not attached to the agenda. The council continued the item unanimously; the mover is not recorded.
Item 5 · Budget
Budget amendments proposed by Council Members Coleman-Nicholl, Houseman and Stroud
Approved · 4-3
Coleman-Nicholl suggested holding the memo's first item, on vacant positions, until the following week. The council voted to direct staff to incorporate the memo's amendments except that item, after a motion to call the question carried. Most of roughly 30 public speakers opposed the proposal or supported public safety compensation and staffing, including Police Chief Greg Severson and Fire Chief Bruce Cline with Deputy Chief Ryan McConaghie. Written comments were read into the record. The minutes give no dollar figures.
Item 6 · Budget
Council Member Robinson's budget amendment discussion
No action · 7-0
Applegarth noted the council's 11 p.m. rule on new business. The council voted 7-0, on a motion by Council Member Zach Robinson seconded by Council Member Brooke Christensen, to continue past that hour. No action was taken on the item.
Item 7 · Budget
Council Member Christensen's budget amendment proposal
No action
Christensen presented her memo. Speakers addressed benchmarking, Sandy Club funding, animal services and public safety compensation. No formal action was taken.
Item 8 · Other
Possible closed session
No action
The council did not go into closed session.
What residents said
Public safety compensationVacant positionsSandy Club fundingAnimal services fundingRacial equity and policing
On the budget amendments, speakers included Seth Drew, Stacie Jorgensen, Carlos Lopez, Clint Juhl, Sandra Haak, Patrick Hinkle, Sergeant Clay Swenson, Chief Severson, Scott Ellis, Tom Ward, Jim Edwards, Ryan Bird, Chris Welch, Ian Williams, Jodi Monaco, Steve Van Maren and others; most opposed the proposal or supported public safety pay. On Christensen's proposal, speakers included Sandra Haak, Steve Van Maren, Shalom Orton of the Sandy Club, Jodi Monaco and Gary McKellar. Luke Bradley spoke for the Sandy Club at the 6:00 p.m. time certain.