Council calls November 21 recreation bond election for up to $30 million, 4-1, and directs staff to negotiate long-term Park Silly Sunday Market contract
August 22, 2023, 2:45 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 445 Marsac Avenue
On August 22, 2023 the council voted 4-1 (Council Member Becca Gerber opposed) to call a November 21 special bond election for up to $30 million in general obligation bonds for recreation facilities. It continued the resort support commercial code changes (Ordinance 2023-17) to September 28, approved three plat amendments and several consent items, and gave direction, without a vote, to negotiate a long-term contract with the Park Silly Sunday Market and to fund the childcare stipend program, including city employees, within $1 million. A study session with U.S. Representative John Curtis took place. Minutes are marked draft.
From the draft minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Closed1 · Other
Motion to close the meeting for advice of counsel and property
Approved · 5-0
Closed session ran from 2:45 to 3:00 p.m.
Item Study · Presentation
Joint roundtable with U.S. Representative John Curtis
Discussed
Topics included water challenges and PFAS cleanup, childcare, wildfire and watershed resilience, transit and federal grants, and affordable housing. No vote.
Item Work · Budget
Childcare stipend program
Discussed
Phase One provides needs-based emergency scholarships paid directly to providers; Phase Two builds capacity. A $1 million budget was provided, with $100,000 allotted to city employees after a survey of 34 respondents. The navigator incentive changed from $500 one time to $300 monthly per child. Council consensus was to include city employee childcare in the $1 million, start eligibility at 100 percent of area median income with costs above 10 percent of income, let the administrator raise it to 120 percent, and hire an administrator through an RFP. Rubell said employee benefits should come through a budget amendment. No vote.
- Budget$1.00 million
Item II · City code
Communications: vibrancy ordinance exception during Sundance
Discussed
Rubell asked about activating a corner restaurant during Sundance and questioning vibrancy ordinance rules. Doilney preferred waiting until after Sundance; Dickey wanted the ordinance back by year end and opposed an exception. No vote.
Item V · Other
Consent agenda: Arbor Day, Rail Trail interlocal agreement, temporary easement, development agreement assignment
Approved · 5-0
Resolution 14-2023 proclaims August 23 as Arbor Day and marks 30 years as a Tree City USA; Resolution 16-2023 is an interlocal agreement with Utah State Parks for Rail Trail management; a temporary easement of 1 to 4 feet along the southern edge of the city-owned Homestake property in favor of Wintzer-Wolfe Properties; and assignment of the Homestake affordable housing development agreement to an affiliated entity of the original developer.
Item VI.1 · City code
Ordinance 2023-17: resort support commercial land management code amendments
Continued · 5-0
Staff recommended a continuance to September 28 for developer outreach; the pending ordinance period runs to September 22. Two speakers objected to giving developers more time and said repeated continuances undermine the Planning Commission.
Item VI.2 · Other
Future of the Park Silly Sunday Market on Main Street
Discussed
The market reduced Main Street days to 11. The Historic Park City Alliance said the business model was not sustainable and wanted 25 percent fewer days, which the market said it could not accept. Many speakers supported the market; others cited congestion and noise. Doilney favored a long-term contract on Main Street; Gerber favored negotiation, not an RFP; Rubell favored closing Upper Main. Direction, without a vote: staff to negotiate long-term terms, use council liaisons and bring back merchant feedback, possibly in October.
Item VII.1 · Subdivision
Ordinance 2023-38: 395 Deer Valley Drive plat amendment
Approved · 5-0
Removes internal lot lines, adds a new garage and relocates the driveway, reducing its slope to 9 percent. The Board of Adjustment approved a garage setback variance.
Item VII.2 · Subdivision
Ordinance 2023-39: 958 Woodside Avenue plat amendment
Approved · 5-0
Creates two lots to replace an existing home with two single-family homes. A speaker asked that the property not be placed in the nightly rental pool.
Item VII.3 · Subdivision
Ordinance 2023-40: 2411 Country Lane and 28 Payday Drive plat amendment
Approved · 5-0
Moves a lot line 23 feet west between two lots under the same ownership and relocates a 10-foot waterline easement.
Item VII.4 · Taxes and fees
Free parking in the China Bridge garage, October 1 to November 19, 2023
Discussed
The item title lists December 15, which the body text does not match. Staff said there would be no savings. Dickey said China Bridge waivers would not be a major incentive. The minutes state council supported the proposal, with no formal vote.
Item VII.5 · Budget
Resolution 15-2023: special bond election, November 21, 2023
Approved · 4-1
Up to $30 million in general obligation bonds for recreation facilities including fitness facilities, field lights, pickleball courts, a Nordic area, an outdoor ice sheet and maintenance facilities; staff said minimal tax impact and no reduction until 2028. Council adopted Dickey's wording change adding 'include but are not limited to.' Gerber opposed, saying the bond funds nice-to-haves, was rushed and lacked other options. Rubell asked for coordination with the county and school district.
- Bond$30.0 million
Item Closed2 · Other
Motion to close the meeting for property
Approved · 5-0
Closed session ran from 9:02 to 9:15 p.m.
What residents said
Park Silly Sunday Market on Main StreetRecreation bondChildcare eligibility
A Main Street business alliance representative said the vibrancy ordinance works well. On the Park Silly Sunday Market, supporters cited business impact and artist support, and critics cited congestion, noise and infrastructure strain.