At today’s Council and RDA Meetings:

Work Session items

The Council received:

* an informational update relating to the Mayor’s Proclamations declaring Local Emergencies for COVID-19, the March earthquake, and the September windstorm:

• the Mayor thanked SLC firefighters sent to California, Oregon to assist with large fires.
• the City is halfway to the goal of mid-October to clear the streets from the windstorm. City crews have picked up 450 tons of debris. Fourteen agencies from around the state are helping with the cleanup, including National Guard. Other numbers: 800 stumps to take out; 200 City employees are working on the cleanup full time. An archeologist is helping with cemetery damage.
• Covid numbers from the City are down a little; younger demographic thought to be increasingly carriers and sickened. Mayor watching numbers closely to see if City should move from Yellow to the higher Orange level in the state’s pandemic risk categories.
• In regard to rental and mortgage assistance, a hired consultant told the Council that economic numbers were generally better than he expected for the City. He presented a worst case scenario where 400 homeowners and 700 renters might need assistance.
• The Mayor reviewed police employment numbers, and reports there aren’t a lot of officers leaving SLC employment for any reason, as rumored. 450 applications have been received for police jobs so far this year, which is higher than the usual number.
  

Other Agenda items

The Council received:

* an informational update on relieving the condition of people experiencing homelessness. Mayor reports that on Oct 5, phase 2 of the Community Outreach plan is ready to go. Four weeks long, it starts with outreach to people in encampment groups followed by legal and health representatives to provide ready resources to those experiencing homelessness.

* an informational update on Racial Equity and Policing efforts. A draft ordinance with policy changes to body-worn camera for police is in the works. The Commission on Racial Equity in Policing continues to regularly meet.

* a briefing on the proposed redesign of the Salt Lake City Flag. Final design is a combination of two, young City-born designers. Council Action is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, 2020

* a follow-up briefing about an ordinance that would make various changes to Salt Lake City Code relating to early notification of the public and recognized community organizations for land use projects. The purpose of the proposed changes is to increase awareness and participation by the public for various types of City projects while still providing a timely review process for applicants. Hearings to accept public comment are scheduled for Tuesdays, October 6, and October 20, 2020 at 7 p.m.

RDA

The Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Board, was briefed:

• and approved a resolution for the use of future property tax for the 9-Line Community Reinvestment Project Area.
• on a second resolution that they also approved regarding another interlocal agreement for the use of future property tax in the State Street Community Reinvestment Project Area.
• about a proposed update to the RDA Art Policy. The RDA’s original policy, adopted in 1990, authorized 1% of certain Agency construction project budgets for public art. The RDA is proposing the Agency’s art policy change to 1.5% and to include additional ongoing annual funding, RDA tools, and incentives to promote art. Further discussion, possible action at a later date.
• about a resolution for affordable housing funding allocations. This funding was previously set aside by the RDA and aims to incentivize development and preservation of affordable housing within City boundaries. The latest application process resulted in two requests at 144 S. 500 east and 1725 S. Jefferson. The project on South 500 East project was approved while the South Jefferson proposal was not approved, partially because of zoning issues.
• about the use of Station Center Acquisition and Development funds to shore up and stabilize the Salt Lake Mattress Company building located at 535 West 300 South (sometimes referred to as the Serta Mattress Building). The building sustained serious damage during the earthquake on March 18, 2020. The Board approved funding to stabilize the building. Further discussion to be held on the future of the building.
• the Board approved release of previously appropriated Station Center Acquisition and Development Funds for property acquisition

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.