Sandy council extends council legal contract one year at $60,000, 6-1, and starts three annexations
December 15, 2020, 5:15 p.m. · Online meeting (Sandy City Council, 10000 Centennial Parkway)
The Sandy City Council, meeting online without the mayor present, voted 6-1 to extend its professional services agreement with Cowdell-Woolley for one year at a flat $60,000, over comments from residents urging the city to end the contract. On the consent calendar it approved a city attorney severance agreement and resolutions of intent for three annexations. It also voted 7-0 to prioritize an online campaign finance disclosure system.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
In brief
11 items came up for a decision or discussion: 8 approved and 3 discussed.
1 vote was not unanimous: Extension of the council's legal services agreement with Cowdell-Woolley (6-1).
The agenda records 1 dollar amount, the largest $60,000.
3 items here are tracked in the city's development tracker.
This write-up links 3 source documents.
7 members were present and 1 absent (Mayor Kurt Bradburn).
Residents raised council legal services contract cost, campaign finance transparency, and hazardous concrete repair costs.
The previous City Council meeting was on December 8, 2020: Sandy council adopts Active Transportation Plan 7-0 and amends CDBG action plan for CARES Act funds
The next one was on January 5, 2021: Sandy council rezones 8.1 acres at Bell Canyon to open space and elects Sharkey chair
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Alta View Hospital and COVID-19
Discussed
Amber Nielsen and Scott Roberson introduced themselves and discussed the hospital's COVID-19 impact, followed by council comments. No vote was taken.
Item 2 · Public safety
Recognition for the Windmill Cove apartment fire on Nov. 5, 2020
Discussed
Fire Chief Bruce Cline and Deputy Chief Ryan McConaghie recognized Brayden Montoya and Angel Mancia.
Item 3 · Public safety
Recognition for the Majestic Rockies Motel fire on Nov. 14, 2020
Discussed
Fire Chief Bruce Cline and Deputy Chief Ryan McConaghie recognized Officer Ryan Rose and Battalion Chief Chris Aston.
Item 4 · Roads and utilities
Hazardous concrete inventory
Approved · 7-0
Mike Gladbach, Blaine Botkin and Craig Smith of Public Works presented an inventory of hazardous concrete. Council Member Monica Zoltanski moved to direct staff and administration to report to the council on the financial costs, covering historic costs, current spending and the cost of priority level 1 and 2 repairs. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote.
Item 5 · Budget
Budget discussion week 6: Justice Court and Fire Department
Discussed
Justice Court Administrator Melisse Stiglich presented the court's budget, priorities and goals. Chief Bruce Cline and Ryan McConaghie briefed the council on the Fire Department budget, long-term financial analysis and FY2021 priorities. No vote was taken.
Item 6 · City code
Online campaign finance disclosure system
Approved · 7-0
Council Office Executive Director Mike Applegarth recommended exploring an electronic filing program for campaign finance reports. Jodi Monaco supported more transparency and suggested including candidates' occupations. Sandra Haak asked whether the system would accept uploaded Excel files instead of duplicate manual entry. Steve Van Maren supported the earlier comments and suggested creating an app. The council voted to prioritize creating an online, digital campaign finance disclosure system, fully tested before candidate filing begins.
Item 7 · Contract
Severance agreement for the city attorney (Resolution 20-55C)
Approved · 7-0
Approved on the consent calendar by unanimous voice vote, the resolution provides for a severance agreement of up to six months. The amount is not stated in the minutes.
- Consent calendar items 7-15 were approved together
Item 8-12 · Appointment
Consent calendar: 2021 meeting schedule and four board reappointments
Approved · 7-0
Approved on the consent calendar by unanimous voice vote: the 2021 annual meeting schedule (Resolution 20-51C); reappointments of Florence Reynolds (20-50C) and Larry Bowler (20-49C) to the Public Utilities Advisory Board; and reappointments of Martha Haddock (20-53C) and Sean Kowallis (20-54C) to the Historic Committee.
Item 13 · Annexation
Intent to annex: Fayeway Street area (Resolution 20-44C)
Approved · 7-0
Approved on the consent calendar, the resolution states the city's intent to annex an unincorporated area and sets a public hearing.
- Item ANEX-11-20-5952(R)
Item 14 · Annexation
Intent to annex: Alta Villa Drive area (Resolution 20-45C)
Approved · 7-0
Approved on the consent calendar, the resolution states the city's intent to annex an unincorporated area and sets a public hearing.
- Item ANEX-11-20-5953(R)
Item 15 · Annexation
Intent to annex: Monte Cristo area (Resolution 20-46C)
Approved · 7-0
Approved on the consent calendar, the resolution states the city's intent to annex an unincorporated area and sets a public hearing.
- Item ANEX-11-20-5954(R)
Item 16 · Contract
Extension of the council's legal services agreement with Cowdell-Woolley
Approved · 6-1
Council Office Executive Director Mike Applegarth recommended a six-month extension to allow time to develop a legal services policy. Jim Edwards urged ending the contract to save money, said the attorney's role has grown beyond conflict work and suggested starting fresh with City Attorney Lynn Pace. Zana Kartchner, Jodi Monaco and Sandra Haak echoed those views, and Amy Bryant called the contract a waste of taxpayer money and said the city attorney should review the issue. Council Chair Zach Robinson proposed six months rather than one year, which Council Member Cyndi Sharkey declined. The council approved a one-year extension at a flat $60,000 for Tracy Cowdell's services, subject to budget appropriation. Council Member Monica Zoltanski voted no.
- Contract$60,000 to Cowdell-Woolley (Tracy Cowdell)
What residents said
Council legal services contract costCampaign finance transparencyHazardous concrete repair costs
No one commented at the 6:00 p.m. period and no electronic comments were received. Residents spoke on the campaign finance system and the council legal contract.