Council approves $2.2 million transit stop program management contract and hears $30 million recreation bond hearing; extends Sundance discussion without vote
October 5, 2023, 2:45 p.m. · City Council Chambers, 445 Marsac Avenue
On October 5, 2023 the council approved a program management agreement of up to $2.2 million with HNTB Corporation for transit site improvements funded in part by a $7.4 million federal grant, a utility easement along Kearns Boulevard and a building pad plat amendment, all 5-0. It held a public hearing on the $30 million recreation bond, which returns October 26, and discussed Sundance Film Festival contract extension, the Bonanza Flat management plan and pile burning for wildfire mitigation without votes.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item Closed · Other
Motion to close the meeting for property, personnel and litigation
Approved · 5-0
Closed session ran from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
Item Work · Contract
Sundance Film Festival contract and extension request
Discussed
The 2013 agreement runs through the 2026 festival; Sundance requested a notice extension under the renewal terms. Staff estimated the economic value of moving the festival off Martin Luther King weekend at $14.3 million over the agreement. Rubell asked whether the extension implied a long-term commitment to an in-person festival. All five members voiced support. No vote; staff will return before October 1, 2024.
Item V.1 · Roads and utilities
Rocky Mountain Power underground utility easement on city property along Kearns Boulevard
Approved · 5-0
Consent item on city-owned property in Bonanza Park.
Item VI.1 · Public hearing
Public hearing: $30 million recreational facility general obligation bond
Discussed
Supporters included the pickleball club and a Recreation Advisory Board member; one speaker opposed it, saying 84060 residents bear the tax increase while others in the school district get amenities, and another opposed new bonding given inflation. The item returns October 26 for pro and con statements. No vote.
- Bond$30.0 million
Item VI.2 · Contract
HNTB Corporation: transit site improvement program management
Approved · 5-0
Follows a $7.4 million federal low and no emission grant. The program covers 72 stops (26 in phase two plus 46 new) over three years.
- Contract$2.20 million to HNTB Corporation
Item VI.3 · Subdivision
Ordinance 2023-48: Iron Canyon Subdivision Lot 41 building pad adjustment plat amendment, 2459 Iron Mountain Drive
Approved · 5-0
Single-family zone lot recorded in 1983 in the Sensitive Land Overlay. Conditions: no encroachment into the 30-foot stream protection zone, and the plat must show maximum floor elevation for 45 psi water pressure.
Item VII.1 · Parks
Bonanza Flat adaptive management and stewardship plan update
Discussed
Council direction was sought on trail alignment, parking and the Church of Dirt trail. A poll found 58.8 percent of trail users viewed paid parking unfavorably. Rubell said safety was above conservation and wanted options with pros and cons; Doilney prioritized a safer alignment and said the Church of Dirt exceeded city management capacity. The WOW Trail direction was affirmed. No vote.
Item VII.2 · Public safety
Wildfire mitigation program policy overview
Discussed
Proposes pile burning under a protocol: prioritize removal or chipping, burn in early winter or early spring with a burn plan and permit, and give public notice. Council was comfortable using pile burning under the protocol. No vote.
What residents said
Recreation bond costPile burning
None on non-agenda items; hearing comments on the recreation bond and wildfire pile burning are summarized in the items.