Council adopts FY2024 budget with $1 million for childcare and $30 million recreation bond, approves EngineHouse ground lease 4-1
June 22, 2023, 3:15 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 445 Marsac Avenue
On June 22, 2023 the council adopted the revised FY2023 and final FY2024 budget 5-0, including $1 million for childcare and a $30 million general obligation bond for the MARC expansion, outdoor ice and the Quinn's sports complex. It approved a $1-a-year ground lease for the EngineHouse affordable housing project at 1875 Homestake Road 4-1 (Council Member Tana Toly opposed, citing health and safety concerns next to an electrical substation), a $740,250 soil remediation contract, and a $1.3 million microtransit agreement. A $135,000 Snow Creek tunnel cost engineering contract passed 3-2. Rubell and Toly attended by video.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Closed · Other
Motion to close the meeting to discuss property and advice of counsel
Approved · 5-0
Closed session ran from 3:15 to 4:21 p.m.
Item Work · Development
Ground lease with JF EngineHouse Developer, LLC, 1875 Homestake Road
Discussed
123 units, 99 of them affordable at 60 percent of area median income, on a 65-year lease with extensions to 99 years. The mayor was concerned about a 12-foot concrete wall; Rubell asked for a timeline for removing the substation before final approval; Toly said the Munchkin Drive parking would be insufficient. No vote.
Item II.1 · Appointment
Police Complaint Review Committee appointments
Approved · 5-0
Emma Zevallos appointed; Austin Lau and Amir Vonsover reappointed to three-year terms beginning June 30, 2023.
Item V · Contract
Consent agenda: water conservation software, film permit, risk management software, public art relocation, utility easements, treasurer's investment fund resolution
Approved · 5-0
Six items: WaterSmart Software water conservation contract; a film permit at McPolin Farm; Computer Sciences Corporation risk management software over three years; relocation of two public artworks for the Park Avenue bus shelter; two Rocky Mountain Power utility easements; and Resolution 04-2023 on the Public Treasurer's Investment Fund.
- Contract$213,111 to WaterSmart Software
- Contract$146,000 to Computer Sciences Corporation
Item VI.1 · Development
Resolution 11-2023: below-market ground lease, EngineHouse, 1875 Homestake Road
Approved · 4-1
Lease rate of $1 per year; the developer noted $4 million in tax credits. Toly opposed the lease, citing health and safety concerns next to the substation. Rubell said council was approving one step and wanted answers on the substation before final approval. Dickey and Gerber spoke to housing affordability and workforce stress. One resident supported the project.
- Land deal$1 to JF EngineHouse Developer, LLC
Item VI.2 · Contract
Soil remediation contract, 1875 Homestake Road
Approved · 5-0
Two bids were received. Stantec handles soil testing, neighboring air monitoring and health and safety. Speakers urged end-to-end monitoring of dump trucks; public input was limited to remediation.
- Contract$740,250 to J.W.W. Excavation LLC
Item VI.3 · Contract
Microtransit service agreement with High Valley Transit, July 1, 2023 to April 13, 2024
Approved · 5-0
Rubell asked for fall route adjustments and access to SR-248 express lanes through UDOT; staff committed to an end-of-summer update.
- Contract$1.30 million to High Valley Transit
Item VII.1 · Budget
Ordinance 2023-32: revised FY2023 and final FY2024 budget
Approved · 5-0
Includes $1 million for childcare and a $30 million general obligation bond for the MARC expansion, outdoor ice and the Quinn's sports complex. No public comments.
- Bond$30.0 million
- Budget$1.00 million
Item VII.2 · Budget
Ordinance 2023-31: FY2024 compensation for elected and statutory officers
Approved · 5-0
Includes a 5.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment.
Item VII.3 · Taxes and fees
Resolution 09-2023: fee schedule amendments
Approved · 5-0
Rubell said he did not want to subsidize out-of-city recreation and wanted to revisit it next year.
Item VII.4 · Public safety
Resolution 10-2023: Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
Approved · 5-0
Adopts the updated plan.
Item VII.5 · Taxes and fees
Ordinance 2023-33: metered service water base rate
Approved · 5-0
Allows commercial, multi-family and irrigation users to self-select base rates; single-family customers are excluded. Rubell proposed a late-fall analysis; Dickey raised concerns about condos and common-area irrigation; council agreed to add conservation measures.
Item VII.6 · Roads and utilities
Updated transportation plan for Deer Valley special events
Approved · 5-0
Covers the Deer Valley Music Festival, concert series and FIS World Cup, with overflow parking inside the loop and transit prioritization. One-way traffic cut exit time from about an hour to 20 minutes.
Item VII.7 · Contract
Horrocks Engineers design services for Snow Creek tunnel cost engineering
Approved · 3-2
Part of the walkability bond. Rubell opposed moving ahead before the small area plan, due between January and March 2024; Toly said a light at Homestake and Kearns was not currently permitted. A speaker proposed a HAWK signal instead.
- Contract$135,000 to Horrocks Engineers, Inc.
What residents said
Substation next to EngineHouseKimball Art Center homeSnow Park traffic
Most speakers supported a permanent home for the Kimball Art Center in the arts and culture district. One speaker opposed LGBTQ+ flags on Main Street; another thanked council for supporting the LGBT community; a comment supported an on-demand shuttle at Snow Park.