At today’s meeting, the Council:

• received an update from the Administration about the recent local emergency declarations related to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and approved a resolution to extend the Mayor Mendenhall’s March 10 local emergency declaration related to COVID-19. Per State law, the Council as the legislative branch needs to review and approve extensions of local emergency declarations. Approving this extension allows the Mayor to continue to respond as the emergency evolves. The Council anticipates receiving regular updates from the Administration throughout this extension, which would expire May 7th. Watch the update here. 
  
• accepted public comment and adopted parts of Budget Amendment No. 4 for Fiscal Year 2020-21 which includes funding to mitigate impacts related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, funding for the Backman Bridge Project (a pedestrian bridge across the Jordan River to Backman Elementary School), and three new fire vehicles as part of the Funding Our Future Initiative. Many remaining items in the proposal were deferred to be considered in conjunction with the annual City operating budget process, due to economic impacts related to the recent earthquake and the coronavirus.
  
• discussed and reviewed federal grants funding for the City’s 2020-24 Consolidated Plan and individual grant applications as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The four grants include the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Program, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), These grants support funding for numerous local projects, non-profits and agencies providing public benefits, such as homeless assistance, public infrastructure improvements and affordable housing Each year, the Council receives dozens of applications from organizations seeking grant funding. The Council then deliberates over many weeks and distributes the funding. The Council also received an update on the first allocation of COVID relief funding from HUD to the City. The relief funds include over $1 million in ESG funding, which is more than three times the City’s average annual ESG funding. The Council will discuss how to use these funds at an upcoming meeting. 
  
• accepted public comment on multiple zoning amendment items.
  
• interviewed and approved multiple appointments to various City boards and commissions.

In addition to the new remote comment option, comments are also always accepted by calling our 24-hour comment line at 801-535-7654 or by emailing council.comments@slcgov.com. All comments received through any source are shared with the Council and added to the public record. Check back to view comments submitted during tonight’s virtual Council meeting here. Comments will be posted 24 hours after the meeting.

Visit the Council’s agenda page for meeting documents and video or view an archive of prior meeting recaps.