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2026-06-02 - City Council Work Session

Summary

Built from the official minutes of the work session (approved August 18, 2026). The minutes are not a full transcript. Meeting materials are posted at data.slc.gov.

  • Work session called to order at 2:13 p.m. Present: Petro, Puy (Chair), Wharton, Carlsen, Dugan and Young. Jennifer Bruno, Lehua Weaver and Nick Tarbet represented Council staff; Rachel Otto, Jill Love and Megan Yuill represented the Administration. The District Four seat was vacant at this date (see District Four Council Vacancy Appointment).
  • Administration update: Weston Clark covered the Shape.slc.gov engagement platform; Andrew Johnston reported the Homeless Resource Center at functional capacity, a June 12 resource fair, Community Corner reopening at 702 West 200 South (Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and mobile Justice Court services on June 5. Petro asked about the Cottonwood Dog Park bridge closure, citing safety and accessibility.
  • Briefed the Artificial Turf Landscaping Text Amendment (Planning Commission recommended against it; hearing set for July 14 on the agenda timeline).
  • Briefed the Alley Vacation Near Warnock Avenue (positive Planning Commission recommendation) and the Mobile Business Text Amendment (required by state law); hearing dates on the timeline were June 9 for setting and July 14 for the public hearing.
  • Informational briefing on Opportunity Zone Nominations; recommendations were due to the Governor's Office by June 10, with Ballpark ranked first.
  • Budget briefings for the Attorney's Office, Insurance and Risk Management, Sustainability and the Refuse Fund (proposed 9 percent residential garbage fee increase), the Public Utilities Consolidated Fee Schedule and a written Governmental Immunity briefing; see Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Briefings and Public Utilities Consolidated Fee Schedule Update.
  • Unresolved budget items follow-up: Fleet, Sustainability, Public Lands and Police items to be discussed June 9; staff reviewing Council Office reductions and the effect of cutting the proposed property tax increase by 1 million dollars. Petro asked for a summary of the fee increases residents would face. See Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Unresolved Items.
  • Four board appointment interviews held (no votes at a work session): Christopher Shope (Metropolitan Water District Board, term to June 2, 2030), Emmanuel Oshitoye Jr. (Human Rights Commission, to December 30, 2030), Daryl McCall and Atiyah Appline (Racial Equity in Policing Commission, to December 25, 2028). Puy said each name would go on the Consent Agenda.
  • Executive Director report: the August 11 Truth in Taxation hearing must be the only meeting that evening; Council Members supported August 25 for the Capital Improvement Program discussion (Capital Improvement Program).
  • Closed meeting 5:51 p.m. to 5:59 p.m.: Moved by Wharton, seconded by Dugan to enter closed meeting for collective bargaining strategy and attorney-client matters, 6-0 (Petro, Puy, Wharton, Carlsen, Dugan, Young). Moved by Dugan, seconded by Petro to exit, 6-0. Adjourned 5:59 p.m. Chair report was not held.

Ordinance: Landscaping and Buffers text amendment

Brian Fullmer introduced the item. Michaela Bell presented the proposal to allow artificial turf in required front and corner side yards, require at least 33 percent live vegetation in required landscaping, keep the ban on turf in buffers and park strips, and add standards for tree roots, permeability and turf quality. Discussion covered water conservation, neighbor impacts, enforcement (most turf cases on the west side), and more time for public feedback. Wharton asked how other cities regulate turf; Tammy Hunsaker said staff would also provide a City FAQ. Details: Artificial Turf Landscaping Text Amendment.

Ordinance: Alley vacation near Warnock Avenue

Fullmer introduced; Aaron Barlow presented the proposal (alley 16.5 feet wide and 80 feet long, with no public access, holding power poles) and the Planning Commission's positive recommendation. Applicant Phil Winston described the proposed townhome development and the process to acquire the land from UDOT and the abutting owner; Members discussed the proposed community space. Details: Alley Vacation Near Warnock Avenue.

Ordinance: Mobile business text amendment

Tarbet introduced, noting the amendments are required to match state law. Seth Rios (principal planner) presented updates reflecting state law adopted in 2017 and 2023, limited to private property (not the public right-of-way), removal of the "mobile food court" definition, and licensing, location, design and Salt Lake County Health Department requirements. Staff confirmed it applies to all mobile businesses, not only food vendors. Petro asked staff to track the types of mobile businesses operating on private property. Details: Mobile Business Text Amendment.

Opportunity Zone program

Lorena Riffo-Jenson and Colin Gibbs presented; proposed rankings were Ballpark, Poplar Grove North (including the Power District), Northwest Quadrant, Glendale, Fairpark, Rose Park and Central City Northwest. Tax incentives would not affect City tax revenue. Details: Opportunity Zone Nominations.

Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget briefings

Attorney's Office: City Attorney Mark Kittrell presented with Allison Parks and Cindy Lou Trishman; County District Attorney Sim Gill took part in the discussion of two requested positions, recruitment and retention, and reduced victim advocate grant funding. Insurance and Risk Management: Mary Beth Thompson, Human Resources staff and Trishman/Kittrell presented; PEHP changes, Tier II retirement contribution increases and a roughly 75/25 split between the Star 1 and Star 2 plans. Sustainability and Refuse: Debbie Lyons and Sophia Nicholas presented the proposed 9 percent residential garbage fee increase; Puy asked whether Environment and Energy programs could be paused during the shortfall. Governmental Immunity was a written briefing with no discussion. Details: Fiscal Year 2026-27 Department Budget Briefings.

Public Utilities fee schedule

Austin Kimmel introduced; Laura Briefer and Lisa Tarufelli presented updated water, sewer, stormwater and streetlighting fees. Members asked about enforcement against users outside drought restrictions and encouraging conservation by multi-family and institutional users. Details: Public Utilities Consolidated Fee Schedule Update.

Budget unresolved issues and property tax

Bruno updated the Council on follow-up information; those items were set for June 9. The Property Tax Impact Schedule item was posted because State law requires it; Puy noted the schedule was online. Details: Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Unresolved Items and Fiscal Year 2026-27 Property Tax Increase.

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