Sandy council adopts ranked choice voting for 2021 general election, 5-2, and eliminates the primary
April 20, 2021, 5:15 p.m. · Online meeting (Sandy City Council, 10000 Centennial Parkway)
After a long public hearing with 11 speakers, the Sandy City Council voted 5-2 to adopt Resolution 21-15C using ranked choice voting for the 2021 general election and eliminating the primary election; an earlier motion to start in the 2023 cycle failed 5-2. The council also voted 4-3 to move forward with sponsoring Hale Centre Theatre's Cultural Celebration Series, and approved an election agreement with the county clerk and the 2021 CDBG action plan, both 7-0.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Hale Centre Theatre Cultural Celebration Series sponsorship | Approved · 4-3 |
| Arbor Day proclamation | Approved · 7-0 |
| Interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County for the 2021 municipal election (Resolution 21-12C) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Ranked choice voting for city elections (Resolution 21-15C) | Approved · 5-2 |
| Interlocal agreement with the Redevelopment Agency (Resolution 21-14C) | Approved · 7-0 |
| 2021 Annual Action Plan and 2021-2022 CDBG budget (Resolution 21-13C) | Approved · 7-0 |
| Recess to convene the Redevelopment Agency | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
UTA five-year service plan and UTA on Demand
Discussed
Utah Transit Authority representatives Carlton Christensen and Laura Hanson presented on UTA On Demand by Via and the agency's five-year service plan. No motion was made.
Item 2 · Other
Hale Centre Theatre Cultural Celebration Series sponsorship
Approved · 4-3
Council Member Brooke Christensen presented a proposal for the city to sponsor the Hale Centre Theatre Cultural Celebration Series, with Conlon Bonnor of the theatre. The council directed staff to move forward with the proposed sponsorship. Council Members Kris Coleman-Nicholl, Marci Houseman and Cyndi Sharkey voted no. The minutes give no sponsorship amount.
Item 5 · Other
Arbor Day proclamation
Approved · 7-0
Adopted on the consent calendar by unanimous voice vote.
Item 6 · Contract
Interlocal agreement with Salt Lake County for the 2021 municipal election (Resolution 21-12C)
Approved · 7-0
City Recorder Wendy Downs presented the agreement with the Salt Lake County Clerk's Elections Division. No one spoke in public comment. The council adopted the resolution.
- ContractAmount not given to Salt Lake County Clerk's Office
Item 7 · City code
Ranked choice voting for city elections (Resolution 21-15C)
Approved · 5-2
Council Chair Cyndi Sharkey summarized the background, and guests from Utah RCV and the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office answered questions. Eleven residents spoke: Joel Frost, Kirby Croyle, Shauna Bona, Jim Edwards and Graham Tinius supported ranked choice voting; Sandra Haak, Katie Johnson, Dale Fairbanks and Patricia Jones said the public needs more education before it is used; Don Cann cited confusion and ballot exhaustion risks and urged a no vote; Steve Van Maren proposed a ranked choice primary as an education step. Council Member Monica Zoltanski moved, seconded by Christensen, to adopt the resolution with a Jan. 1, 2022 effective date, later amended to the 2023 election cycle; it failed 5-2, with Council Members Alison Stroud, Kris Coleman-Nicholl, Zach Robinson, Marci Houseman and Sharkey opposed. A motion by Christensen to table for three months died for lack of a second. Robinson then moved, seconded by Sharkey, to adopt the resolution for the 2021 general election and eliminate the primary election, which carried 5-2 with Zoltanski and Christensen opposed.
- Earlier motion for the 2023 election cycle (Zoltanski/Christensen) failed 5-2
- Adopted for the 2021 general election with no primary election
Item 8 · Contract
Interlocal agreement with the Redevelopment Agency (Resolution 21-14C)
Approved · 7-0
Economic Development Director Nick Duerksen presented the agreement, which formalizes management, insurance and liability for Redevelopment Agency-owned properties the city uses. No one spoke in public comment. The council adopted the resolution.
Item 11 · Public hearing
2021 Annual Action Plan and 2021-2022 CDBG budget (Resolution 21-13C)
Approved · 7-0
Jake Warner presented the Community Development Block Grant program, timeline, applicants, funding proposals and evaluation process, and staff recommended approval. Speakers included Nathan Breinholt of Utah Community Action (food distribution), Jocelyn White of South Valley Sanctuary (housing and domestic violence services), Baylee White for The Road Home, Beth Martial of Utah 211, who asked the council to reconsider its funding request, Jason Wheeler (small construction grants for homeowners in need) and Shalome Orton of the Sandy Club, who cited an estimated 25% increase in need. The council approved the plan and authorized the mayor to submit it to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- GrantAmount not given
Item 9 · Other
Recess to convene the Redevelopment Agency
Approved · 7-0
The council voted unanimously to recess and convene the Redevelopment Agency. The agency's proceedings are not recorded in these minutes.
What residents said
Ranked choice voting educationPrimary electionCDBG funding for food, housing and 211 servicesBell Canyon neighborhood trails and HOAUTA service plan
Several residents of a Bell Canyon neighborhood spoke at the 6:00 p.m. period. Some raised ethics-related concerns about Council Member Monica Zoltanski's role in a homeowners association and about horse boarding and non-resident trail use, and two written comments asked the council to look into those matters; others said the comments did not reflect the full picture and defended her work. Don Cann praised Zoltanski and criticized the proposed UTA plan. Residents also spoke on ranked choice voting and CDBG funding (see items).