Sandy council hears 22 speakers on Alta Canyon recreation center and Willow Creek structures; backs council tour of NHL practice facility
July 23, 2024, 5:15 p.m. · Council Chambers, Sandy City Hall, 10000 Centennial Parkway, and Zoom
More than 20 residents spoke at the Sandy City Council's July 23 meeting, mainly on the cost of the Alta Canyon recreation center, a citywide vote, skate parks and a proposed maintenance facility at Willow Creek. The council heard a quarterly report on the medically vulnerable people shelter and a $560,733 mitigation grant for added police and fire staff, interviewed Ryan McConaghie as fire chief and approved Ordinance 24-13 on General Plan elements with a correction. The tally is not recorded.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Public safety
Quarterly update on the medically vulnerable people shelter
Discussed
Representatives of Shelter the Homeless, The Road Home and Fourth Street Clinic reported that 264 people had been served, ages 33 to 86. The council asked that future updates include the effect on city services. Deputy CAO Martin Jensen said a $560,733 grant will fund added police and fire staff.
- Grant$560,733 to State of Utah (Homeless Shelter Cities Mitigation Grant)
Item 2 · Budget
FY 2024-25 appropriations, staffing schedule and fee adjustments (Resolution 24-33C), preview
Discussed
Finance Director Brian Kelley said the $560,733 grant would fund two police officers and three paramedics, and described fee changes for community events and parks and cemetery. Council members expressed concern about using grant funds for salaries. The council could direct amendments before a July 30 public hearing.
- Grant$560,733
Item 3 · Development
Possible city and RDA visit to NHL practice facilities
Discussed
Council Member Alison Stroud raised a tour of the Kraken Community Iceplex in Seattle, a similar facility to one Smith Entertainment Group plans for Sandy near the Shops at South Town. Administration planned an August tour and did not support a joint council-administration tour. All council members supported a council tour, and staff were directed to plan it.
Item 4 · City code
Title 21 amendments on home-based microschools, micro-education entities and charter and public schools
Discussed
Melissa Anderson presented; the Planning Commission recommended approval. The item returns the following week.
Item 5 · City code
Title 21 amendments on accessory structures in the Open Space District
Discussed
Anderson and Community Development Director James Sorensen presented. The Planning Commission reduced the height of the Willow Creek maintenance facility and increased setbacks, and legal staff clarified the amendments. After lengthy discussion the item was set to return the following week.
Item 6 · Appointment
Interview of Ryan McConaghie as fire chief
Discussed
The mayor recommended Interim Chief McConaghie. The council expressed support, with a vote scheduled for the next week.
Item 7 · Other
Consent: July 9 draft minutes
Approved
Approved with a correction noted by Council Member Marci Houseman, by unanimous voice vote.
Item 8 · City code
Title 21 amendments on elements of the General Plan (Ordinance 24-13)
Approved with conditions
Approved with a correction. The notes record no mover or tally.
Item 9 · Parks
Recess to convene the Alta Canyon Recreation Special Service District administrative control board
Approved
The council recessed at 8:38 p.m. by unanimous voice vote and reconvened at 10:03 p.m. The board's actions are in separate minutes.
Item 10 · Other
Possible closed session
No action
No closed session was held. The council asked that one be added to the next week's agenda.
What residents said
Alta Canyon recreation center costSkate parksWillow Creek maintenance facility
Twenty-two speakers, including Bruce Blanchard, Pat Jones, Mike Finnerty, Rebecca Colley (by email), Kay Burton and Mark Colley, spoke on Alta Canyon recreation center cost and a citywide vote, skate parks, and open-space accessory structures at the Willow Creek maintenance facility. Some also raised a tax reduction and council members serving on the special service district board.