Sandy council combines work and business sessions 7-0, authorizes up to $21 million Fire Station 31 bonds and settles committee appointments after failed motions

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 2 · Presentation

   Legislative report

   Discussed

   Deputy Mayor Kim Bell gave a legislative update on housing, affordability, transportation, fireworks, school safety and finance.

2. Item 3 · Appointment

   Interview of Jennifer George for Planning Commission alternate

   Discussed

   The mayor introduced George, who gave background. The council was to consider the appointment at the next meeting.

3. Item 4 · City code

   Draft policies and procedures for participation in events by city officials

   Discussed

   Council Director Dustin Fratto presented the draft under Title 3-1-9. The council gave feedback and expressed support.

4. Item 5 · City code

   First reading: Council Member Mecham's policy on annual committee appointments

   Discussed

   Council Member Ryan Mecham reviewed the draft. Council members gave feedback on resolving conflicts, and Mecham would incorporate their comments.

5. Item 6-8 · Appointment

   Consent: Jan. 23 and Jan. 30 draft minutes and appointment of Steve Wrigley as a regular Planning Commission member (Resolution 24-02M)

   Approved

   Approved by unanimous voice vote.

   Moved by Council Member Zach Robinson, seconded by Council Member Brooke D'Sousa

6. Item 9 · City code

   Council rules of procedure annual review

   Approved · 7-0

   Fratto noted the rules must be readopted by the last February meeting. Council Member Aaron Dekeyzer proposed moving standing reports to the start of meetings, eliminating blue cards and eliminating work sessions. The council voted 7-0 to combine work and business sessions, on a motion by Council Member Marci Houseman seconded by Zach Robinson; resolutions and ordinances will still get two readings. A motion by Robinson, seconded by DeKeyzer, to update public comment and remove the blue card requirement failed 3-4: Robinson, Mecham and DeKeyzer voted yes; Alison Stroud, Houseman, Cyndi Sharkey and Brooke D'Sousa voted no. Members supported keeping standing reports at the end and eliminating eComment. Steve Van Maren supported trying a new citizen comment process. Fratto will bring back a clean version.

   Moved by Council Member Marci Houseman, seconded by Council Member Zach Robinson. Vote: 7-0 to combine work and business sessions; a separate motion on blue cards failed 3-4

7. Item 10 · Public safety

   General obligation bonds, Series 2024, not to exceed $21,000,000 (Bond Resolution 24-04C)

   Approved

   Finance Director Brian Kelley presented, with a meeting with Standard & Poor's set for early March; bond counsel Randy Larsen and adviser Jason Burningham were available. No one commented. The resolution was adopted by roll call, but the tally is not listed in the record. The bonds fund Fire Station 31, approved by voters in November 2023.

   • Bond$21.0 million General obligation bonds, Series 2024, not to exceed $21,000,000, for the Fire Station 31 rebuild. Paid from Property tax, as approved by voters in November 2023

   Moved by Council Member Zach Robinson, seconded by Council Member Cyndi Sharkey

   Follow Fire Station 31 rebuild and general obligation bond in the development tracker →

8. Item 11 · Appointment

   Council liaison appointments for 2024, including the Utah League of Cities and Towns Legislative Policy Committee

   Approved with conditions · 7-0

   Several motions on the policy committee seat failed: DeKeyzer's motion to appoint himself failed 2-4 with Robinson abstaining; a motion to appoint Sharkey and D'Sousa failed 3-2 with Robinson and Stroud abstaining; a motion to adopt the resolution with the seat vacant failed 3-4. Motions to appoint DeKeyzer as an alternate and to adopt the resolution with a term through Feb. 28, 2025 were withdrawn. The council then adopted Amended Resolution 24-01C with the policy committee appointment struck for future consideration, 7-0 by roll call. City Attorney Lynn Pace said a member of an expired seat can generally keep serving until a successor is named. Steve Van Maren suggested terms of service as a reference.

   Moved by Council Member Zach Robinson, seconded by Council Member Alison Stroud. Vote: 7-0 on the final motion; earlier motions on the policy committee seat failed

9. Item 12 · Other

   Possible closed session

   No action

   No closed session was convened.

What residents said

Affordable housingCouncil rulesCommittee appointments

James Longstaff spoke on affordable housing. Steve Van Maren commented on council rules and appointments.