At today’s Council Meetings:

• The Council, working with Mayor Erin Mendenhall, adopted a joint resolution formally establishing the Commission on Racial Equity in Policing, a new advising body convened to make recommendations to the Mayor and Council on the City’s policy, budget, and culture of policing. The joint resolution unanimously makes the Commission a public body under the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act to ensure its meetings and actions are open to the public.
  
  > Read more about the Racial Equity in Policing (REP) Commission, including the Resolution

• The Council adopted a resolution for project funding allocations in the Capital Improvement Program, which involves the construction, purchase or renovation of buildings, parks, streets or other physical structures. Generally, projects have a useful life of five or more years and cost $50,000 or more. The Council asked to work with the administration on refining the process for next year, to have a focus on equity in investment, and also to allow for constituent applications.
  
  > FY20-21 Council-approved funded Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects

• The Council receives regular updates from the Administration about the Mayor’s emergency declarations relating to COVID-19 (coronavirus), the March 18th earthquake in the Salt Lake Valley, and recent protests in the City. As part of the update today, the Council received the latest Covid numbers, which continue to show a month-long downward trend in SLC. Downward trend is slower in RosePark and Glendale. The City is still in the ‘Orange’ status.
• The Council was briefed about an ordinance that would amend the current City budget. The proposed amendment includes Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for personnel costs related to pandemic response, expansion of the City’s Youth and Family program to help with childcare and education, and funding for housing assistance, among other items. A hearing to accept public comment to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.
• The Council and Mayor discussed resources, particularly the Salt Lake County Health Dept., for clean up of biowaste or other harmful materials around homeless camps. The Administration is returning to the Council with a proposal and further actions.
• The Council was briefed about the Administration’s change in plans for providing crossing guards at intersections near Salt Lake City schools, keeping the program in-house for a year instead of switching to a contracted provider.
• The Council was briefed about a proposed Digital Equity Policy for the City. The proposed policy, a visioning document, establishes a baseline of the City’s values and goals for equity-driven initiatives relating to bridging that digital divide. If adopted, the policy would guide investments, partnerships and programs to improve digital literacy and access for all residents. Tentative Council Action: Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Other Actions

• Council was briefed, and later accepted public comment, and also voted to approve multiple land use items. 
• Council approved the appointment of all the listed appointments to the Mayor’s Administration, Boards and Commissions. 
• Council held a Public Hearing for Budget Amendment #1, various zoning issues, and other items listed in the public agenda. All Hearing items passed.

All agenda-related comments received through any source are shared with the Council and added to the Council public meeting record.

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