Council amends water-wise landscaping code, adopts procurement rules 4-1 and continues most Rocky Mountain Power easements
March 9, 2023, 2:45 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 445 Marsac Avenue
On March 9, 2023 the council adopted water-wise landscaping amendments to the Land Management Code, approved Resolution 03-2023 raising the city manager's purchasing authority from $25,000 to $100,000 on a 4-1 vote with Council Member Jeremy Rubell opposed, and approved one Rocky Mountain Power easement while continuing five others. Work sessions covered a waste reduction ordinance concept and a 1875 Homestake Road affordable housing plan.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Community waste reduction strategies | Discussed |
| 1875 Homestake Road affordable housing (Engine House) | Discussed |
| Appointment of city treasurer | Approved · 5-0 |
| Consent: Historic District illustrations, water engineering and environmental consultant contracts | Approved · 5-0 |
| Ordinance 2023-10: water-wise landscaping amendments | Approved · 5-0 |
| Rocky Mountain Power easements | Continued · 5-0 |
| Resolution 03-2023: procurement rules | Approved with conditions · 4-1 |
| Ordinance 2023-11: 402 and 410 Ontario Avenue plat amendment | Approved · 5-0 |
| Ordinance 2023-12: 1150 Park Avenue plat amendment | Approved · 5-0 |
| Land Management Code 15-2.13-2: fractional use and private residence clubs, Bellevue Subdivision | Continued · 5-0 |
| 2023 legislative session update | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item Study · City code
Community waste reduction strategies
Discussed
Staff proposed a concept ordinance based on Salt Lake City's code under which generators producing more than 96 gallons of solid waste or recyclables weekly would need to contract with a recycler. Rubell and Dickey did not want hardship on businesses; Doilney said food waste is the largest piece. No vote; staff will return with a timeline.
Item Work · Development
1875 Homestake Road affordable housing (Engine House)
Discussed
J Fisher Companies' plans include a 2,000-square-foot lobby, one parking stall per unit plus 5 underground and 12 surface stalls, and low-income housing tax credits. The team said electromagnetic field readings showed no danger from the nearby substation and contaminated soil will be removed; the Planning Commission recommendation was unanimous. Toly asked for a PacifiCorp presentation, Rubell asked about the city's cost contribution, and Gerber asked for a future discussion on parking for affordable master planned developments. A speaker questioned the EMF testing. No vote.
Item II.1 · Appointment
Appointment of city treasurer
Approved · 5-0
Council appointed Nike Noack as city treasurer.
Item VI · Contract
Consent: Historic District illustrations, water engineering and environmental consultant contracts
Approved · 5-0
Three professional services contracts.
- Contract$40,000 to lo LandArch
- Contract$100,000 to Bowen Collins and Associates
- Contract$44,000 to Terracon Consultants
Item VII.1 · City code
Ordinance 2023-10: water-wise landscaping amendments
Approved · 5-0
Amends the landscaping section and definitions of the Land Management Code. Rubell's first amendment failed for lack of a second; his second, clarifying that major landscape remodels must comply, passed 5-0. He asked for artificial turf and natural turf metrics this season.
Item VII.2 · Contract
Rocky Mountain Power easements
Continued · 5-0
Council approved easement PCA-110-G-1-X and continued five others to a date uncertain. Rubell wanted to continue to late June and discuss the Bonanza Park small area plan; Doilney cited a prior $60 million estimate for undergrounding and wanted to move forward if it is not feasible; Dickey wanted answers on moving the substation. A substation study could cost about $25,000. Worel and Rubell will meet with the utility.
Item VII.3 · Contract
Resolution 03-2023: procurement rules
Approved with conditions · 4-1
Raises city manager approval authority to $100,000 from $25,000, sets a $30,000 small purchase threshold and adds protest and appeal rules, with a six-month review added. Rubell opposed raising the manager's authority, said the three-week RFP posting was too short and wanted a higher local vendor discount; Dickey wanted a six-month review; Gerber called it a big step; Doilney said it improves speed and transparency.
Item VIII.1 · Subdivision
Ordinance 2023-11: 402 and 410 Ontario Avenue plat amendment
Approved · 5-0
Removes interior lot lines to create two lots of record in the HR-1 zone.
Item VIII.2 · Subdivision
Ordinance 2023-12: 1150 Park Avenue plat amendment
Approved · 5-0
Landmark historic structure; removes an interior lot line and adds an accessory apartment where nightly rentals are prohibited.
Item VIII.3 · City code
Land Management Code 15-2.13-2: fractional use and private residence clubs, Bellevue Subdivision
Continued · 5-0
Continued to April 27 to coincide with study results and state legislation changes.
Item VIII.4 · Other
2023 legislative session update
Discussed
Staff highlighted bills on development agreements and landscape bonds, mobile businesses, the subdivision process and fractional ownership.
What residents said
Substation electromagnetic fieldsChildcare costsBus service reliability
Speakers raised bus service inconsistency and driver shortages, snow plowing and childcare costs, and supported or questioned the Homestake project. One resident asked whether council would respond to February 16 reports.