Sandy council confirms Ben Hill as parks director and tells staff to prepare bond parameters for $12 million Arbor Plaza purchase

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item 1 · Presentation

   Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling District update

   Discussed

   Council Member Marci Houseman introduced new general manager Evan Tyrell, who covered services, rates and a cost comparison with other companies. The district serves 85,200 homes weekly around Salt Lake County. He also updated the council on the seasonal container reservation program.

2. Item 2 · City code

   Title 21 amendments to the Automall Zone land use matrix

   Discussed · Southtowne Automall

   Mike Wilcox proposed amendments to strengthen the Southtowne Automall by clarifying allowed uses and aligning them with subdistrict purposes. The Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation. Information item; it returned Jan. 20 for action.

   Follow Automall Zone land use matrix amendments in the development tracker →

3. Item 3 · Contract

   Sandy City office space and Arbor Plaza Office Building

   Approved · Arbor Plaza Office Building (south of City Hall)

   Real Property Manager Dan Nelson said the city has about 90,000 square feet of usable office space and projects a need of about 132,131. Police, Parks and Recreation and the Arts Guild need more room. Options included Arbor Plaza, Crescent View Middle School, the Post Office building and a Justice Court expansion; administration recommended Arbor Plaza, which the city is under contract to buy for $12 million. Administrative Services Director Brian Kelley reviewed three purchase scenarios, the timeline and bonding. The council voted unanimously to direct staff to place a bond parameters resolution on the next week's agenda.

   • Purchase$12.0 million Contract price for the Arbor Plaza Office Building. Direct purchase contract; alternatives reviewed. Paid from Bonds and Redevelopment Agency contribution (see Jan. 20)

   Moved by Council Member Brooke Christensen, seconded by Council Member Brooke D'Sousa

   Follow Arbor Plaza Office Building purchase and bonds in the development tracker →

4. Item 4 · Presentation

   Utah Government Data Privacy Act training

   Discussed

   Brian Kelley explained the background of the required training and the council completed the 2025 training.

5. Item 7 · Appointment

   Appointment of Ben Hill as Parks and Recreation director (Resolution 26-02C)

   Approved

   Mayor Zoltanski asked for the council's advice and consent. No one spoke, and Chair Cyndi Sharkey spoke about the importance of a well-run department. Approved by roll call; tally not in the notes.

   Moved by Council Member Alison Stroud, seconded by Council Member Marci Houseman

6. Item 8 · Other

   Recess for the Redevelopment Agency board

   Approved

   The council recessed at 7:45 p.m. and reconvened at 7:59 p.m. The attachments referenced an affordable housing interlocal agreement and an HTRZ application, which the minutes do not summarize.

   Moved by Council Member Cyndi Sharkey, seconded by Council Member Marci Houseman

7. Item 5-6 · Other

   Consent calendar: Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 draft minutes

   Approved

   Approved by unanimous voice vote.

   Moved by Council Member Brooke D'Sousa, seconded by Council Member Marci Houseman

What residents said

Housing near the librarySemi-truck parkingSister City exchange

Aaron Dixon supported high-density housing on the vacant lot next to the Sandy library. Rebecca Colley asked for ADA accommodation for a person collecting petition signatures at City Hall. Henry Butters raised semi-truck parking. Charlotte Jordan asked that the June Pops concert move one day so Sister City visitors could attend. Douglas Wismer spoke about the gondola and housing options.