2026-08-18 - City Council Work Session
Summary
Built from the official minutes (approved October 6, 2026).
- Work session on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 4:07 to 6:32 p.m.; all seven Council Members present; Puy chaired.
- Administration update from Weston Clark: community planning, Pioneer Park improvements, the 500 West Beautification and Connectivity Plan, feedback at the Fleet Block open house, park closures, a free recycling event and the 2026 citywide resident survey. Dugan asked for an update on City water use against conservation goals, including major institutional users; Clark said one would come.
- Impact fee briefing: straw polls unanimously favored a meter-size fee structure (Option 1) and a phase-in of up to 70% from January 2027 to June 30, 2028, then the full amount from July 1, 2028 (Option 3).
- Capital Improvement Program follow-up: unanimous straw poll for a flashing-beacon crosswalk at Mead Avenue and West Temple from existing Vision Zero funding; Item 31 restroom pause passed 5-2, while a poll to fully fund it at $568,000 was 4-3 in favor.
- Four board appointment interviews held; George LeBoeuf's interview moved to a future meeting.
- Written briefing on the Library tax increment interlocal amendment; no discussion.
- No Chair report; no closed meeting held.
Public Utilities Impact Fee Ordinance
Austin Kimmel introduced it. Laura Briefer and Kristeen Beitel, with Jason Draper and Lisa Tarufelli, presented the facilities plan and analysis; fees had not been updated since 1999. Discussion covered effects on development types, other cities' fees, developers with financing set before the new fees, ratepayer equity, water-efficient landscaping, state rules, and a recurring review schedule. Napier-Pearce asked for low-water landscaping incentives.
Capital Improvement Program
Kate Werrett covered the remaining Funding Log items. Carlsen pressed for the Mead Avenue and West Temple crosswalk (Item 37). Straw polls: pause Item 31 (restroom), 5-2 (against: Dugan, Wharton); fully fund Item 31 at $568,000, 4-3 (for: Dugan, Carlsen, Petro, Wharton). Other threads: Glendale Park lighting and the roughly $2.8 million contingency on a $45-50 million park (Jon Ruedas), bike racks on request (Lynn Jacobs), ADA compliance funding, and more trees with irrigation (Kat Andra). Puy asked the cost of installing 1,000 trees on the westside; Urban Forestry will answer in writing.
Board appointments
Interviews held for Regan Hale (Parks, Natural Lands, Urban Forestry, and Trails Advisory Board, term ending August 18, 2029), Avery McAffee and Nicholas Pensari (Racial Equity in Policing Commission, terms ending December 25, 2028) and Liz Joerger (City and County Building Conservancy and Use Committee, term ending July 15, 2030). Puy said each name would be on the Consent Agenda. These four were approved on the August 18 consent agenda (see 2026-08-18 - City Council Formal Meeting).
Library Tax Increment Interlocal Agreement
Written briefing only on the resolution amending the interlocal agreement; the Council adopted it that evening.
Executive Director report
Jennifer Bruno reminded Members that the annual Westside Council meeting is September 22, 2026 at the Utah State Fairpark, in person only. She noted Puy's role on the County's Behavioral Health and Justice Action Plan team; Puy said the first meeting had happened and updates would follow.