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2026-07-14 - City Council Work Session

Summary

Built from the official minutes of the work session (approved September 15, 2026). The minutes are not a full transcript.

  • Called to order at 3:48 p.m. and adjourned at 6:08 p.m. Present: Petro, Wharton, Napier-Pearce, Carlsen, Dugan and Young. Absent: Puy (chair). Mayor Mendenhall attended.
  • Administration updates: shelters functionally full; Dugan asked when phase two of the micro-shelter expansion would open and how water conservation was going after the Mayor's Stage Two drought declaration.
  • Climate Forward SLC Plan existing-conditions briefing; adoption expected late 2026 or early 2027.
  • Ballpark rezoning follow-up: straw poll to rezone all parcels proposed for MU-11 to MU-8; all members present in favor. The Planning Commission had recommended approval 5-2.
  • Short-Term Rental Business License Ordinance: straw poll to keep the ordinance adopted and published July 1, 2026 in effect while staff drafts amendments; all members present in favor.
  • Six-Year Capital Asset Plan: briefing; about 1.5 billion dollars in projected capital needs through Fiscal Year 2032-33 and a funding gap.
  • Capital Improvement Program: briefing on Fiscal Year 2026-27 applications and the Mayor's recommended allocations; detailed project discussion reserved for a meeting with more members present.
  • Interviewed six candidates for the Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board and five for the Fire Code Board of Appeals; Carlsen said all names would go on the evening's Consent Agenda (the formal meeting that night, 2026-07-14).
  • Closed meeting item was not held; no Chair or Executive Director reports.

Updates from the Administration

Katie Riser highlighted the July 3 drone show at Jordan Park, recycling events and workshops, Arts Council programming (Mondays in the Park, Twilight Concert Series) and Love Your Block mural projects. Andrew Johnston reported on homelessness services: shelter capacity functionally full, Encampment Impact Mitigation and Rapid Response Team services, the mySLC.gov reminder, results of the June 12 Resource Fair at Library Square, a July 17 resource fair, Community Corner services and cooling-center options at libraries and recreation centers. Dugan asked for the opening date for the second phase of the micro-shelter expansion (Johnston: construction restarted; staff to provide a date) and for a water conservation update after the Stage Two drought declaration (Riser: staff to provide an update).

Climate Forward SLC Plan

Austin Kimmel introduced the update to the City's climate strategy and its Existing Conditions Report. Catherine Wyffels (Sustainability) reviewed goals, major risks (extreme heat, drought, flooding, wildfire, air quality, public health, infrastructure, economic impacts) and community priorities, and Sophia Nicholas (Sustainability Deputy Director) described a framework for mitigation, resilience, funding, departmental alignment and engagement. Staff expect to return in late 2026 with a final draft for possible adoption. Members and staff discussed consulting Sustainability on future policies, grant and alternative funding, and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, regional partners and the State. See Climate Forward SLC Plan.

Ballpark zoning map and text amendment

Kate Werrett summarized the history of the Ballpark NEXT Community Design Plan, Planning staff's recommendation to approve, public concerns at the Planning Commission and its 5-2 vote to recommend approval; the commissioners voting no cited the height allowed in MU-11. Senior Planner Sara Javoronok and Principal Planner David Stuenzi presented the map and text changes. With Hayden Callaway, members discussed the rationale for MU-11 along parts of 1300 South (Callaway: the added height and density matched the design plan), comparison of MU-11 and MU-8 on height, capacity and compatibility, keeping the properties in public ownership while considering long-term ground leases, and green space and climate-impact measures. Straw poll: rezone all parcels proposed for MU-11 to MU-8 (all present in favor, Puy absent). The public hearing was set for August 18, with action tentatively August 25.

Short-term rental business licenses follow-up

Allison Rowland introduced the follow-up on the ordinance enacted with the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget (Chapter 5.13). Mark Kittrell reviewed Ordinance 38 of 2026: licensing, application and operating standards, multifamily limits, local contact rules, enforcement and penalties. Members, Kittrell, Arturo Garcia and Lehua Weaver discussed enforcement and verification of self-reported activity, how the 10 percent multifamily limit applies to condominiums with multiple owners, the two-night minimum and 200-night annual maximum, treatment of existing operators, balancing housing supply against rentals as income, and whether implementation should continue during amendments. Requests: Petro, further review of the condominium question; Dugan, short-term rental rules in Utah cities and comparable cities elsewhere, including night limits and enforcement; Wharton, data on rentals' effect on housing and, separately, options to notify operators of the license requirement (including whether state law allows outreach using information from rental websites; Kittrell to review). Straw poll: keep the ordinance in effect; all present in favor. See Short-Term Rental Business License Ordinance.

Six-Year Capital Asset Plan and Capital Improvement Program

Werrett introduced both items. Mary Beth Thompson with Rachel Molinari and Mike Atkinson presented the Capital Asset Plan: process, prioritization framework, relation to the Capital Improvement Program, projected needs, available funding and the expected shortfall. Discussion covered the plan as a long-term framework, coordination among departments, the CRA and Public Utilities, about 1.5 billion dollars in needs through Fiscal Year 2032-33, the gap between revenue and needs, and the value of a clearer picture of long-term infrastructure needs. Rachel Molinari then presented the Capital Improvement Program: review by the Capital Asset Planning Committee and the Community Development and Capital Improvement Program Board, recent process improvements, Fiscal Year 2026-27 applications, available funding and the Mayor's recommended allocations. Members discussed how constituent and City department applications are weighed and agreed to hold detailed project discussion for a later meeting when more members could participate. Public hearings were set for July 21 (see 2026-07-21 - City Council Formal Meeting). See Six-Year Capital Asset Plan and Capital Improvement Program.

Board appointment interviews

Community Development and Capital Improvement Programs Advisory Board: Robert Eccles (District 7; commercial landscaping and municipal projects), Josh Strickland (District 4; financial analysis and investment evaluation), My N. Helms (District 3; reviewing technical proposals), Jordan Moss (District 7; banking, affordable housing, community development, grants), Brook Bryn (District 1; engineering and systems analysis) and Mitchell Roundy (District 4). Fire Code Board of Appeals: Gerald Strebel, Lincoln Paxman, Donald Buckley and Scott White (Salt Lake County residents) and Mathew Sacco (Utah County resident), all with fire service or fire marshal backgrounds. Council Members asked about approach to advisory recommendations, experience on boards, and prior fire code appeals experience.

Sources