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2026-05-05 - City Council Work Session

Summary

Built from the official minutes of the City Council Work Session (approved July 21, 2026). The minutes are not a full transcript.

  • Called to order at 2:22 p.m. and adjourned at 5:26 p.m. All seven members were present: Petro, Puy, Wharton, Lopez Chavez, Carlsen, Dugan and Young. Lopez Chavez left during the Public Utilities budget item and was recorded absent for the closed meeting entry vote.
  • Briefing on the airport lost and mislaid property ordinance (to comply with Senate Bill 172 of the 2026 Utah session); hearing set for May 19 at 7 p.m. with action tentatively June 2.
  • Briefing on the indefinite closure of two alleyway segments in Jefferson Park; hearing set for June 9 at 7 p.m. with action tentatively July 14.
  • Metropolitan Water District Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget presented by its Board Chair and General Manager; a likely property tax increase in Fiscal Year 2027-28 for capital projects.
  • Public Utilities Department proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget of $427.8 million, with proposed rate changes; Council discussion of federal loans, bond ratings, conservation and street lighting equity.
  • Housing Authority of Salt Lake City appointment interviews: Deborah Chiquito was interviewed and will go on the Consent Agenda; the Turner Bitton interview item was moved to a future Council meeting.
  • Executive Director Jennifer Bruno: during the budget process, packets will come out on Fridays, Council meetings will start at 1:00 p.m., Thursday Council meetings begin May 14, 2026, and the CRA budget will be discussed May 19.
  • Report of the Chair and Vice Chair: item not held.
  • Closed meeting 4:49 p.m. to 5:26 p.m. (entered on a 6-0 motion by Wharton, seconded by Dugan, Lopez Chavez absent; exited 7-0, Dugan/Wharton) for the character, competence or health of an individual, collective bargaining strategy and attorney-client matters.

Lost and Mislaid Property at Airports

Nick Tarbet introduced. Paul Neilson (Senior City Attorney) and Jennifer Coffman (Airport Operations Manager) described aligning City code with recent state law, formalizing receiving, inventorying, storing and disposing of lost property at qualifying airports (those with a federally required law enforcement presence), and the Airport's prior practices. Members discussed disposal of unclaimed property that becomes Airport property. See Airport Lost Property Text Amendment.

Jefferson Park Alleyway Closure

Brian Fullmer introduced. Tyler Murdock and Amy Reid of Public Lands presented the vacation of two alley segments entirely within Jefferson Park to consolidate parcels and enable improvements, including stormwater detention basin functions, and reviewed state code requirements and the public process to date. Members asked whether future park parcel consolidations and alley closures could be grouped; staff said other parks need similar actions but staff capacity requires doing them individually for now. See Jefferson Park Alleyway Closure.

Metropolitan Water District budget

Austin Kimmel reviewed the Council's role: it does not vote on the budget but appoints a majority of the Board of Trustees. Tom Godfrey (Board Chair) and Annalee Munsey (General Manager) presented revenue, expenditures, major capital projects, water supply (Deer Creek Reservoir, Little Cottonwood Creek, Jordanelle Reservoir), plans for future bonding and a likely Fiscal Year 2027-28 property tax increase. Members and Munsey discussed statewide conservation efforts not affecting the District's budget because of flat-rate billing. See Metropolitan Water District Budget.

Public Utilities budget

Kimmel introduced; Laura Briefer, Lisa Tarufelli and Jason Brown presented generational capital investments, efficiencies, federal loans and grants, the proposed $427.8 million budget, utility fund budgets (water, sewer, stormwater, street lighting) and proposed rate changes with monthly impacts. Discussion topics: federal grants and low-interest loans, comparison with other jurisdictions, risks of not raising rates (bond ratings, resilience, water security), Great Salt Lake protection through conservation in the rate structure, declining multi-family and commercial impacts from separating indoor and outdoor meter adjustments, the $20,000 General Fund contribution, conservation projections and street lighting equity. Petro asked for coordination to educate residents on utility usage and rate structures; Briefer offered help. See Fiscal Year 2026-27 Public Utilities Budget.

Housing Authority appointments

Deborah Chiquito (a Salt Lake County resident) was interviewed for a term ending May 5, 2030; Puy said her name would be on the Consent Agenda. The Turner Bitton interview (District 2 resident) was moved to a future meeting. See Housing Authority Board Appointments.

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