Sandy council directs staff to run public outreach on Alta Canyon concept Options B and D; residents split on ranked-choice voting
March 29, 2022, 5:15 p.m. · Online meeting (Sandy City Council, 10000 Centennial Parkway)
In a work session the Sandy City Council voted by unanimous voice vote to direct staff to research and carry out a public outreach process on concept Options B and D for the Alta Canyon Sports Center. It also heard a Utah Ranked Choice Voting survey presentation, a water conservation rate structure proposal and an affordable housing briefing, and a long list of residents spoke for and against ranked-choice voting.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Utah Ranked Choice Voting survey presentation | Discussed |
| Alta Canyon Recreation Center and Sports Center concept options | Approved · 7-0 |
| Water conservation rate structure | Discussed |
| Affordable housing discussion | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 2 · Presentation
Recognition of state legislators representing Sandy
Discussed
The council, the mayor and Administration recognized the state legislators who attended. Government Affairs Director Evelyn Everton thanked them for their service.
Item 3 · Other
Utah Ranked Choice Voting survey presentation
Discussed
Utah Ranked Choice Voting presented the results of its survey and thanked Sandy for taking part in the 2021 ranked-choice pilot program. The council asked questions and commented. No vote was taken.
Item 4 · Parks
Alta Canyon Recreation Center and Sports Center concept options
Approved · 7-0
Council Member Zach Robinson introduced Brian Parker of AECOM, who presented concept options and their financial feasibility. Members expressed support for Options B and D, and the council and Administration discussed public engagement and outreach. The council voted by unanimous voice vote to direct staff to research and implement a public outreach process for concept Options B and D. The minutes notes give no cost figures.
Item 5 · Roads and utilities
Water conservation rate structure
Discussed
Public Utilities Director Tom Ward reviewed the recommended structure. Sandy has a tiered rate structure, which the state requires, and it is under evaluation. Keith Larson explained how base and volume rates can support conservation, described feedback from the Public Utility Advisory Board and the public, and reviewed the rates Public Utilities recommended. Members asked questions throughout. No vote was taken.
Item 6 · Other
Affordable housing discussion
Discussed
Jake Warner of Community Development presented on affordable housing, which the Utah Foundation considers Utah's most critical issue, covering median and moderate income, affordable housing costs, residential building permits and the housing gap. He reviewed next steps. No vote was taken.
What residents said
Ranked-choice votingPublic comment timingAlta Canyon Recreation CenterRedistricting
On ranked-choice voting, Jackson Green, Nate Evans and Steve Van Maren supported it, saying it lowers partisanship, is secure and is easy to understand once learned. Patricia Jones, Rebecca Colley, Steve Nabaum and Carola Michel and Wendy Hart of Utah Election Integrity opposed it or raised concerns about voter security and grassroots effects, and Heather Thomas asked about the survey's sampling population. Bruce Blanchard and Kristen Wray thanked the council for communication efforts, and Blanchard opposed moving public comment to 5:15 p.m. Joyce Walker invited the council to the Dimple Dell Earth Day event on April 23. Dawn Sidwell spoke about redistricting. Nate Evans also supported the Alta Canyon Recreation Center.