Sandy council creates Communications Department, previews Scott Cowdell Park housing concept and tables purchasing-power ordinance
June 2, 2026, 5:15 p.m. · Council Chambers, Sandy City Hall, 10000 Centennial Parkway, and Zoom
The council adopted Ordinance 26-48 creating a Communications department as amended, adopted the public safety retirement rate pickup, tabled Council Member Alison Stroud's purchasing-power analysis ordinance and added a $5,000-a-year Senior Center equipment proposal to the budget amendment shortlist. A concept for 61 homes on a 4.15-acre site at Scott Cowdell Park was previewed. The roll-call breakdowns are not in the notes.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Development
Scott Cowdell Park redevelopment concept
Discussed
Mike Wilcox presented a concept for the 4.15-acre site near East 8960 South with 61 cottage, twin and townhome units. Kasey Dunlavy discussed the home ownership assistance program. Information item.
- Acres: 4.15
- Units: 61 (cottage, twin and townhome)
Item 2 · Budget
Utah Retirement System Tier 2 public safety rate pickup (Resolution 26-60C)
Approved
Katrina Frederick presented the resolution, which had been an information item the prior week. No one spoke. Adopted; the breakdown is not listed.
Item 3 · City code
Second reading: Stroud proposal for an annual General Fund purchasing power analysis (Section 4-9)
Tabled
Council Member Stroud compared the consumer price index with a municipal cost index. Several members wanted more detail or preferred a routine report to an ordinance. Lori Wilson supported a municipal index and a report rather than an ordinance; Pat Jones said the analysis should not be codified and could be provided annually at the council's request; the mayor supported providing the information. The item was tabled and will return for second reading after the council reviews the report.
Item 4 · City code
Ordinance 26-48: Title 4 amendments creating a Communications department (second reading)
Approved with conditions
Council Member Marci Houseman presented a revised ordinance after multiple legal reviews, initially proposing a division-level position subject to advice and consent. Members discussed organizational structure, advice and consent, budget impacts and organization-wide communication, and the mayor and administration commented. Adopted as amended, creating a department rather than the division in the title, by roll call; breakdown not listed. The council recessed 8:00 to 8:10 p.m.
Item 5 · Budget
FY 2027 council member budget amendment proposal: Senior Center equipment
Approved
Council Member Brooke D'Sousa proposed $5,000 a year for Senior Center equipment by reducing the Community Engagement budget, citing more than 1,400 annual participants, 42 weekly classes and about 9,500 volunteer hours. Unspent funds roll into equipment reserves. The proposal was added to the budget amendment shortlist by roll call; breakdown not listed.
- Budget$5,000
Item 6 · Budget
Public hearing: FY 2026-27 compensation for elected municipal officials
Discussed
Katrina Frederick reviewed the required state-code analysis, with assumptions of 2,080 annual hours, exclusion of council chair hours and a proposed 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment. Variable benefits may rise with pay and health and dental costs are expected to increase. No one spoke.
Item 7 · Budget
Continued public hearing: FY 2026-27 compensation for executive municipal officers
Discussed
Frederick presented salary data for department heads and deputy directors and noted merit-based adjustments. Council Member Aaron Dekeyzer wants to understand salary differences among deputy directors and will follow up with staff. Pat Jones and Craig Ulrich thanked the council; Steve Van Maren asked why the city event planner was included.
Item 8 · Budget
Continued public hearing: FY 2026-27 city budget adoption
Continued
Brian Kelley presented the budget resolutions. No one spoke. The hearing was continued.
Item 9-10 · Other
Consent calendar: April 28 and May 12 draft minutes
Approved
Approved by unanimous voice vote.
What residents said
Scott Cowdell Park housingLibrary closure
Darrin Butler, Sandy library manager, shared events and said the library will close June 8 to 10 for repairs. Mark Mason Taylor commented on the Scott Cowdell Park concept, including the community garden and cottage-style homes.