Sandy council adopts police pay plan appropriation, approves two Creek Road area annexations and a Benson Way street vacation

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 1 · Roads and utilities

   Gondola Works presentation on a Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola

   Discussed

   Chris McCandless of Gondola Works presented a proposed gondola, one of the options UDOT is considering, and compared it with the bus option on cost, life cycle, carbon emissions, environment and watershed, travel time, traffic and emergency egress. No vote was taken.

2. Item 2 · Presentation

   Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute study: high-density apartments and nearby single-family home values

   Discussed

   Dejan Eskic presented the study methodology, study area, median market values and driving factors for suburban Salt Lake County. He cited benefits such as revitalizing older properties and attracting new demand and said the study found no negative effect on surrounding home values. No vote was taken.

3. Item 3 · Other

   Consent calendar: approval of Aug. 10, 2021 minutes

   Approved

   Approved by unanimous voice vote.

   Moved by Council Member Kris Coleman-Nicholl, seconded by Council Member Brooke Christensen

4. Item 5 · Budget

   Public hearing: FY 2021-22 budget amendment for police compensation (Resolution 21-33C)

   Approved

   Finance Director Brian Kelley presented the funding sources in Exhibit A. Bey May and Graham Tinnius supported the increase, Marvin Kunz supported it and wanted safeguards against cancellation of future raises as happened in 2020, and Ryan Bird of the Sandy Fraternal Order of Police thanked the council in an emailed comment. Council members expressed support for the department. The council adopted a resolution increasing general fund appropriations for July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. The minutes give no dollar amount or vote tally.

   • BudgetAmount not given Increase in general fund appropriations for the police compensation plan, FY 2021-22; amount not stated in the minutes notes. Paid from Funding sources listed in Exhibit A (not detailed in the minutes notes)

   Moved by Council Member Kris Coleman-Nicholl, seconded by Council Member Brooke Christensen

5. Item 6 · Public safety

   Public hearing: 2021 Justice Assistance Grant

   Approved

   Police Chief Greg Severson presented the FY 2021 Bureau of Justice Assistance JAG budget narrative. Steve Van Maren had no objection but asked whether the items were the top equipment priorities; Severson will follow up. The council approved the FY 2021 JAG expenditures as presented. The minutes give no dollar amount or vote tally.

   • GrantAmount not given FY 2021 Justice Assistance Grant expenditures; amount not stated in the minutes notes. Paid from U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance

   Moved by Council Member Kris Coleman-Nicholl, seconded by Council Member Marci Houseman

6. Item 7 · Annexation

   Creek Road West annexation (ANX06082021-006067, Ordinance 21-27)

   Approved · Creek Road west to Union Park Avenue, about 5.6 acres

   Planning Director Brian McCuistion presented the annexation of about 5.6 acres of road right-of-way along Creek Road west to Union Park Avenue in High Point, with zoning. The Planning Commission recommended approval. No one spoke at the hearing. The council adopted the ordinance; the minutes notes give no tally.

   • Acres: about 5.6
   • Planning Commission: recommended approval

   Moved by Council Member Kris Coleman-Nicholl, seconded by Council Member Monica Zoltanski

   Follow Creek Road and Highland Drive right-of-way annexation in the development tracker →

7. Item 8 · Annexation

   Creek Road East annexation (ANX06082021-006069, Ordinance 21-26)

   Approved · Highland Drive east through Rossett Green Lane, about 1.5 acres

   Planning Director Brian McCuistion presented the annexation of about 1.5 acres along Highland Drive east through Rossett Green Lane. The Planning Commission recommended approval. No one spoke at the hearing. The council adopted the ordinance; the minutes notes give no tally.

   • Acres: about 1.5
   • Planning Commission: recommended approval

   Moved by Council Member Kris Coleman-Nicholl, seconded by Council Member Marci Houseman

   Follow Creek Road and Highland Drive right-of-way annexation in the development tracker →

8. Item 9 · Roads and utilities

   Partial vacation of Benson Way near 9270 South (MSC05112021-006047, Ordinance 21-25)

   Approved · Benson Way near 9270 South

   Planner Craig Evans presented the vacation of 6,229 square feet of right-of-way, requested by Public Works, in Historic Sandy. The Planning Commission recommended approval. No one spoke at the hearing. The council adopted Ordinance 21-25 modifying the street map; the minutes notes give no tally.

   • Right-of-way vacated: 6,229 square feet
   • Applicant: Sandy City Public Works

   Moved by Council Member Monica Zoltanski, seconded by Council Member Cyndi Sharkey

   Follow 9270 South realignment and street vacation (Benson Way) in the development tracker →

What residents said

Little Cottonwood Canyon gondolaPolice payWatershed protectionCrime

Most speakers on the Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola opposed it. Opponents included Beckett Harris, Emily Pitsch, Robert Douglass, David Hart, Roger Renstrom, Kathryn Paulsen, Evan Tobin, Katie Johnson, Jim Edwards, David and Derek Tillotson, Dee Young, Kelly Buttars, Fred Burton, Mike Marker and, in read comments, Craig Osterlow, Sam Bloom and Steve Pruitt, citing the 185-foot towers, cost, watershed, traffic, privacy and home values. Scott Sabey supported the gondola, citing Alpine examples and future needs. Sandra Hawk suggested a plan covering all six resorts. Robert Sepulveda asked about limiting skier numbers and rising crime in Sandy.