Council hears Empire Creek, Bonanza Flat easement and Thaynes Canyon parking updates; approves Salt Lake City water agreement extension

Decisions at a glance

Agenda, item by item

1. Item Study · Parks

   Bonanza Flat conservation easement and adaptive management plan

   Discussed · Bonanza Flat

   Presenters said the purchase price was $38 million: the city put up a $25 million bond and the $13 million gap was filled by nonprofits, cities, counties and over 3,500 individual donations. Acreage rose from 1,340 to 1,550, and the plan will be revisited every five years. Toly asked whether the 175 parking spaces had been built; the answer was that not all were built and implementation could mean removing parking. No vote.

   • Land deal$38.0 million Bonanza Flat purchase price. Paid from $25 million city bond plus $13 million from nonprofits, governments and donors
   • Bond$25.0 million City bond toward Bonanza Flat purchase

   Follow Bonanza Flat land exchange and conservation easement in the development tracker →

2. Item Work · Roads and utilities

   Empire Creek education and outreach plan

   Discussed

   Staff said about half of the city's drinking water comes from abandoned mine tunnels, and a compliance order requires Judge Tunnel water to be treated by January 1, 2024 by piping it to the 3Kings Water Treatment Plant. Judge Tunnel has discharged into Empire Creek year-round since 2013. Alternatives to replace the flow were a mitigation plan costing about $100,000, or adding water from the drinking water system or a raw water pipeline from Rockport Reservoir, each about $25 million with 20 to 36 percent more electricity. Gerber said the costlier options were not viable; Doilney noted the stream did not exist naturally; Rubell separated meeting the deadline from replacing the flow. Council directed Public Works to hold a large public meeting with Spanish translation.

   • Bond$142.0 million Revenue bonds issued for the 3Kings treatment plant
   • Budget$25.0 million Estimated infrastructure cost for each replacement-water alternative

3. Item IV.1 · Other

   Resolution 22-2022: Small Business Saturday

   Approved · 5-0

   Proclaims November 26, 2022 Small Business Saturday.

   Moved by Council Member Becca Gerber, seconded by Council Member Jeremy Rubell. Vote: 5-0

4. Item V.1 · Other

   Resolution 23-2022: Day to Honor Veterans

   Approved · 5-0

   Proclaims November 11, 2022 a day to honor veterans; three city employees who are veterans spoke about their service.

   Moved by Council Member Becca Gerber, seconded by Council Member Tana Toly. Vote: 5-0

5. Item V.2 · Roads and utilities

   Thaynes Canyon parking update

   Discussed · Thaynes Canyon Drive

   Staff said the driving range lot served as overflow for 33 of 160 summer days. A Nordic ski operator proposed winter overflow parking from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. most days and to 6 p.m. on youth program days. Gerber said the times did not match program hours; Dickey and Doilney asked about drop-off alternatives. A resident opposed overflow parking on Thaynes Canyon Drive citing traffic and the urban park zoning; parents and program supporters favored a visible drop-off area. Toly proposed she, staff and the operator revisit the approach, and staff will return with long-term options.

6. Item WSD III.1 · Contract

   Salt Lake City water supply agreement extension (Water Service District)

   Approved · 5-0

   Authorizes the city manager to extend the 1991 Water Supply Agreement with Salt Lake City and its 2016 amendment to October 31, 2023.

   Moved by Council Member Becca Gerber, seconded by Council Member Ryan Dickey. Vote: 5-0

What residents said

Empire Creek flowThaynes Canyon overflow parkingElectricity use for water pumping

One writer asked that the record more accurately describe Empire Creek's history, arguing the diversion creates an artificial post-mining condition.